title: Ansonia Man Sentenced to 44 Months in Federal Prison for Drug Offense, Violating Supervised Release

body_text: Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that JEVAUGHN WATSON, also known as “Russ,” 29, of Ansonia, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Janet Bond Arterton in New Haven to 44 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for a drug trafficking offense, and for violating the conditions of his supervised release that followed a previous federal conviction. This matter stems from an investigation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force into a drug trafficking organization headed by Tajh Wiley, also known as “Yung,” of Norwalk. The investigation, which included a court-authorized wiretap of Wiley’s phone, revealed that Wiley conspired to distribute quantities of fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana and distributed drugs throughout Connecticut and elsewhere with the assistance of other associates. Wiley, Watson, and six others were arrested in June 2021. In association with the arrests, investigators executed multiple search warrants and seized approximately a kilogram of fentanyl, a kilogram of cocaine, approximately 83 grams of crack cocaine, more than 12 pounds of marijuana, two press machines and other items and materials used by Wiley and his co-conspirators to process and package illegal drugs. Investigators also seized from Wiley jewelry valued at more than $100,000, and a 2021 Mercedes-Benz valued at approximately $146,000. On July 25, 2022, a jury found Wiley guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, fentanyl, 500 grams or more of cocaine, and marijuana, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack cocaine”). The jury found Watson guilty of one count of conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute marijuana. On February 23, 2017, Watson was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 46 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for distributing heroin to a 25-year-old woman who subsequently died of an overdose in August 2016. He was released from prison in February 2020 and was on supervised release when he participated in Wiley’s drug trafficking conspiracy. Watson has been detained since his arrest on June 9, 2021. On December 28, 2022, Judge Arterton sentenced Wiley to 12 years of imprisonment. This investigation has been conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Bridgeport High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bridgeport Police Department, Fairfield Police Department, Norwalk Police Department, Stamford Police Department, Stratford Police Department, Yonkers (New York) Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service. The HIDTA Task Force includes personnel from the DEA Bridgeport Resident Office, the Connecticut State Police, and the Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, Stratford, Milford and Danbury Police Departments. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elena L. Coronado, Robert S. Dearington, Patrick J. Doherty, and Margaret M. Donovan through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Program. OCDETF identifies, disrupts and dismantles drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs and transnational criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led and intelligence-driven approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF .


title: U.S. Citizens and Russian Intelligence Officers Charged with Conspiring to Use U.S. Citizens as Illegal Agents of the Russian Government

component: USAO - Florida, Middle

body_text: A federal grand jury in Tampa, Florida, returned a superseding indictment charging four U.S. citizens and three Russian nationals with working on behalf of the Russian government and in conjunction with the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) to conduct a multi-year foreign malign influence campaign in the United States. Among other conduct, the superseding indictment alleges that the Russian defendants recruited, funded and directed U.S. political groups to act as unregistered illegal agents of the Russian government and sow discord and spread pro-Russian propaganda; the indicted intelligence officers, in particular, participated in covertly funding and directing candidates for local office within the United States. Additionally, in a separate case out of the District of Columbia, a criminal complaint was unsealed charging Russian national Natalia Burlinova with conspiring with an FSB officer to act as an illegal agent of Russia in the United States. “Russia’s foreign intelligence service allegedly weaponized our First Amendment rights – freedoms Russia denies its own citizens – to divide Americans and interfere in elections in the United States,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The department will not hesitate to expose and prosecute those who sow discord and corrupt U.S. elections in service of hostile foreign interests, regardless of whether the culprits are U.S. citizens or foreign individuals abroad.” “Efforts by the Russian government to secretly influence U.S. elections will not be tolerated,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “As today’s announcement demonstrates, the Criminal Division is committed to eradicating foreign malign influence from the U.S. political system and helping ensure the integrity of our elections.” “Today’s announcement paints a harrowing picture of Russian government actions and the lengths to which the FSB will go to interfere with our elections, sow discord in our nation and ultimately recruit U.S citizens to their efforts,” said Acting Assistant Director Kurt Ronnow of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. “All Americans should be deeply concerned by the tactics employed by the FSB and remain vigilant to any attempt to undermine our democracy. The FBI remains committed to confronting this egregious behavior and ultimately disrupting our adversaries and those who act on their behalf.” United States v. Ionov, et al. According to the superseding indictment returned in the Middle District of Florida, Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov, a resident of Moscow, was the founder and president of the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia (AGMR), an organization headquartered in Moscow, Russia, and funded by the Russian government. Ionov allegedly utilized AGMR to carry out Russia’s malign influence campaign. Ionov’s influence efforts were allegedly directed and supervised by Moscow-based FSB officers, including indicted defendants Aleksey Borisovich Sukhodolov and Yegor Sergeyevich Popov. “The prosecution of this criminal conduct is essential to protecting the American public when foreign governments seek to inject themselves into the American political process,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “We thank our partners at the FBI for their tireless investigation of these events and their commitment to ensure justice is done.” Among other illegal activities, the superseding indictment alleges that Ionov, Sukhodolov and Popov conspired to directly and substantially influence democratic elections in the United States by clandestinely funding and directing the political campaign of a particular candidate for local office in St. Petersburg, Florida, in 2019. For instance, the superseding indictment alleges that Popov expressly referred to this effort on behalf of the FSB as “our election campaign,” and Ionov referring to the candidate as the “candidate whom we supervise.” Ionov and Popov allegedly intended that this election interference plot would extend beyond the 2019 local election cycle in St. Petersburg, and subsequently discussed that the “USA Presidential election” was the FSB’s “main topic of the year.” Moreover, from at least November 2014 until July 2022, Ionov allegedly engaged in a years-long foreign malign influence campaign targeting the United States. As a part of the campaign, Ionov allegedly recruited members of political groups within the United States, including the African People’s Socialist Party and the Uhuru Movement (collectively, the APSP) in Florida, Black Hammer in Georgia and a political group in California (referred to in the superseding indictment as U.S. Political Group 3), to participate in the influence campaign and act as agents of Russia in the United States, including the following indicted defendants: Omali Yeshitela, a U.S. citizen residing in St. Petersburg, Florida, and St. Louis, Missouri, who served as the chairman and founder of the APSP; Penny Joanne Hess, a U.S. citizen residing in St. Petersburg, Florida, and St. Louis, Missouri, who served as the leader of a component of the APSP; Jesse Nevel, a U.S. citizen residing in St. Petersburg, Florida, and St. Louis, Missouri, who served as a member of a component of the APSP; and Augustus C. Romain Jr., aka Gazi Kodzo, a U.S. citizen residing in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Atlanta, who served as a leader of the APSP and a founder of Black Hammer in Georgia. One focus of Ionov’s alleged influence operation was to create the appearance of American popular support for Russia’s annexation of territories in Ukraine. For example, in May 2020, Ionov allegedly sent a request he stated was from “Russia, the Donetsk People’s Republic” – an apparent reference to a Russian-occupied region in eastern Ukraine – to Yeshitela and members of other U.S. political groups to make statements in support of the independence of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, a Russian-backed breakaway state in eastern Ukraine. Ionov later allegedly touted to the FSB that Yeshitela’s video-recorded statement of support was the first time that “American nonprofit organizations congratulated citizens” of the occupied region. Ionov’s use of the APSP to promote Russian propaganda relating to Ukraine allegedly continued after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. On the day Russia invaded Ukraine, Feb. 24, 2022, Ionov allegedly emailed Nevel an “URGENT MESSAGE” which contained pro-Russian talking points in support of the invasion. Thereafter, throughout March 2022, the APSP repeatedly hosted Ionov via video conference to discuss the war, during which Ionov falsely stated that anyone who supported Ukraine also supported Naziism and white supremacy, and Yeshitela and another APSP member allegedly made statements of solidarity with the Russian government. Ionov, Sukhodolov, Popov, Yeshitela, Hess, Nevel and Romain are charged with conspiring to have U.S. citizens act as illegal agents of the Russian government within the United States without providing prior notification to the Attorney General, as required by law. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Yeshitela, Hess and Nevel are also charged with acting as agents of Russia within the United States without such prior notification. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel J. Marcet and Risha Asokan for the Middle District of Florida, Trial Attorney Menno Goedman of the Justice Department’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and Trial Attorney Demetrius Sumner of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case. United States v. Burlinova According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint unsealed in the District of Columbia, Russian national Natalia Burlinova, a resident of Moscow, conspired with an FSB officer to recruit U.S. citizens from academic and research institutions to travel to Russia to participate in a public diplomacy program called Meeting Russia. The program was operated by PICREADI, a Russian organization led by Burlinova, funded by the Russian government and devoted to promoting Russian national interests. “The defendant is accused of subverting our foreign agent notification laws to promote Russian national interests here in the United States, concealing from the public that her recruitment efforts were funded by a Russian security service,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “We will continue to expose these serious crimes and hold all who perpetrate them accountable.” The affidavit alleges that the FSB officer provided funding and other support for Burlinova’s foreign recruitment and her efforts to advance Russian interests in the United States. In return, Burlinova provided the FSB officer with extensive information about U.S. citizens who were recruited to attend her programs, including their résumés, passport information, photographs and analyses of their views toward Russia. Burlinova further identified for the FSB officer particular U.S. citizens who, in Burlinova’s view, had expressed positive attitudes towards Russia and were prepared to continue to collaborate. During a recruitment trip to the United States in fall 2018, Burlinova met with U.S. citizens at various universities and research institutions and provided to photographs of her meetings to the FSB officer. The FSB officer used the information Burlinova provided prepare FSB intelligence reports. Burlinova never notified the Attorney General of these efforts or otherwise disclosed to the public that her recruitment efforts were supported and funded by a Russian security service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Friedman for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney Emma D. Ellenrieder of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case. An indictment and a complaint are merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Former Executive At Williams Sonoma, Inc. Charged With Three Others In Alleged Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Schemes

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: SAN FRANCISCO - A federal grand jury in San Francisco indicted Eric Marsiglia, Kourosh Mirmehdi, Augusto Alizo, and Michael Podhurst, charging the defendants with conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering, and related charges for their respective roles in two separate fraudulent schemes involving kickbacks and the diversion of millions of dollars of rebates belonging to Williams Sonoma, Inc., announced United States Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Special Agent in Charge Darren Lian. The indictment was filed April 11, 2023, and unsealed earlier today. Two of the defendants, Marsiglia, 49, of Olive Branch, Miss., and Augusto Alizo, 51, of Weston, Florida, were arrested today in Mississippi and Florida, respectively. According to the indictment, while employed by Williams Sonoma, Inc. (WSI), Marsiglia was involved in two fraudulent schemes. The first scheme was a conspiracy to divert rebates from commercial real estate brokers that should have gone to WSI; the rebates were diverted to accounts that Marsiglia controlled. As part of this scheme, Marsiglia allegedly paid a portion of the diverted funds to his co-conspirators, Kourosh Mirmehdi, 63, of Irvine, Calif., and Alizo. The second scheme involved the payment of kickbacks in exchange for Marsiglia directing business to companies controlled by codefendant Michael Podhurst, 63, of Union, New Jersey. “Today’s arrests target a years-long fraud centered on defendant Marsiglia, who abused the trust placed in him by a prominent San Francisco public company,” said U.S. Attorney Ramsey. “The indictment alleges how each defendant, in separate ways, sought to capitalize on Marsiglia’s valued position within the company—but all with the singular goal of lining their own pockets with millions of dollars at the expense of his employer. Rest assured, we will prosecute corporate executives who accept kickbacks and bribes in exchange for steering contracts to undeserving individuals or companies.” “This investigation and today’s arrests are a result of the hard work and dedication of IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Northern District of California. Our agents and prosecutors pursued a group of individuals, across state lines, who took advantage of members of our community for greed and personal enrichment,” said Special Agent in Charge Darren Lian of IRS Criminal Investigation’s Oakland Field Office. “CI special agents are determined to hold those who deceive and cheat accountable for their actions.” Williams Sonoma, Inc. (WSI) is a home-goods retailer that operates brands Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, West Elm, and others. Marsiglia was WSI’s Vice President of Engineering, Projects, Planning, Facilities, and Real Estate, and, as such, was responsible for identifying commercial real estate opportunities for the company. For example, Marsiglia located warehouses that WSI could use as distribution centers, worked with landlords and commercial real estate brokers to negotiate the terms of leases, and outfitted warehouses and distribution centers. In his position, Marsiglia allegedly orchestrated the negotiation of real estate contracts on behalf of WSI that required third parties to pay millions of dollars in brokerage fee rebates to WSI. According to the indictment, rather than ensure that WSI received the brokerage fee rebates, Marsiglia instead created a shell company and then conspired with others to have the rebates paid to his company. In addition, as part of this scheme, Marsiglia allegedly paid a portion of the proceeds of this illegal scheme to his co-conspirators. Separately, Marsiglia also allegedly received kickback payments from another co-conspirator in exchange for directing contracts for business to companies controlled by the co-conspirator. The indictment describes details of the alleged rebate diversion scheme. According to the indictment, around 2020 WSI experienced an increase in its need for warehouse space to enable it to more easily store products and ship them to consumers around the country. To meet this need, WSI worked with third-party logistics companies to assist in the negotiations with commercial real estate brokers. Marsiglia allegedly worked with codefendant Mirmehdi, who worked for a global third-party logistics company, to assist in the negotiations with commercial real estate brokers and landlords. The indictment describes how a common feature of such leasing arrangements includes the payment of rebates from the real estate brokers to the entity leasing the warehouse space. The indictment alleges Marsiglia and Mirmehdi used their positions and influence to formulate contracts and/or agreements that directed commercial real estate brokers to forward rebate payments to Marsiglia’s company, rather than to WSI. Specifically, Marsiglia created, owned, and operated a shell company named REM Group LLC. Marsiglia or Mirmehdi then allegedly represented to real estate brokers that REM Group was connected to or a part of WSI, inducing the brokers to pay rebates to REM Group. Marsiglia allegedly thereafter sent portions of the illegal proceeds of the scheme to codefendants Mirmehdi and Alizo, who was Mirmehdi’s boss at the logistics company. Marsiglia, Mirmehdi, and Alizo redirected broker fees to REM Group for warehouses leased to WSI in Florida, New Jersey, and Arizona, and attempted to do so for an additional warehouse being leased in California. In total, the indictment alleges Marsiglia, Mirmehdi, and Alizo diverted and misappropriated approximately $5.9 million in broker commission rebates owed to WSI. The indictment also provides details of the kickback scheme. In his role at WSI, Marsiglia had authority to identify vendors and authorize and approve contracts for work to be done in the distribution centers. According to the indictment, beginning in 2018, Marsiglia worked with Podhurst to arrange for kickback payments to be paid to Marsiglia and REM Group in exchange for Marsiglia directing contracts for business in WSI’s warehouses to companies connected to Podhurst. Podhurst worked as a salesperson at a forklift and supply chain company (the Forklift Company) based in New Jersey. The indictment alleges Marsiglia and Podhurst first agreed that Marsiglia would hire the Forklift Company to provide goods or services for Williams Sonoma; in exchange, Marsiglia established REM Group as a consultant and the Forklift Company made kickback payments to REM Group. This kickback scheme continued when Podhurst and others founded a storage and material handling company to provide and build racking systems in WSI warehouses. Later, Podhurst started his own company, Precision Industrial Installations, and Marsiglia awarded contracts to that company in exchange for more kickbacks. In total, WSI awarded companies connected to Podhurst more than $48 million in contracts for work done at warehouses around the country, and Marsiglia and Podhurst arranged for more than $12 million in kickbacks to be paid to Marsiglia’s company, REM Group. The indictment alleges that from approximately 2018-2022, Marsiglia received nearly $20 million through his shell company, REM Group, all of which was in the form of stolen broker rebate payments or kickbacks received for awarding business to entities related to Podhurst. In sum, the defendants were charged with the following counts: Count(s) Defendants Charge 1 Eric Marsiglia Kourosh Mirmehdi Augusto Alizo 18 U.S.C. § 1349 – Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud 2-5 Eric Marsiglia Kourosh Mirmehdi Augusto Alizo 18 U.S.C. § 1343 – Wire Fraud 6 Eric Marsiglia Michael Podhurst 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343, 1346, 1349 - Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud and Honest Services Wire Fraud 7-12 Eric Marsiglia Michael Podhurst 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343, 1346 – Wire Fraud and Honest Services Wire Fraud 13 Eric Marsiglia Kourosh Mirmehdi Augusto Alizo 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h) – Money Laundering Conspiracy 14 Eric Marsiglia Michael Podhurst 18 U.S.C. § 1956(h) – Money Laundering Conspiracy Marsiglia made his initial appearance this morning in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi. An initial appearance in federal court in San Francisco has not yet been scheduled. Alizo made his initial appearance this morning in federal court in the Southern District of Florida. An initial appearance in federal court in San Francisco has not yet been scheduled. Mirmehdi and Podhurst have not yet appeared in federal court for their initial appearance. An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed, and each defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If convicted, the defendants face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $250,000, plus restitution, if appropriate, for each violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1343, 1346, and 1349, as well as a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and a fine of $500,000, plus restitution, if appropriate, for each violation of 18 U.S.C. §1956(h). The court also may order an additional term of supervised release to begin after a prison term as part of any sentence. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ross Weingarten and Christiaan Highsmith are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Elizabeth Kim. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the IRS-CI.


title: RGV brothers sentenced for meth

component: USAO - Texas, Southern

body_text: McALLEN, Texas – Two brothers residing in La Villa have been ordered to federal prison following their convictions of possession with intent to distribute meth, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Roberto Serna pleaded guilty Feb. 3, while his brother Artemio entered his plea Nov. 30, 2022. Today, Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane ordered Roberto to serve 120 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. Artemio was previously ordered to serve the same sentence. On Sept. 26, 2022, the Sernas sold a kilogram of meth undercover authorities. At the time of their plea, the brothers admitted to selling the drugs on two separate occasions. The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert L. Guerra Jr. prosecuted the case.


title: Las Vegas Man Sentenced To Prison For Firearms Offense

component: USAO - Nevada

body_text: LAS VEGAS – A Las Vegas resident with prior felony convictions was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to 78 months in prison for unlawful possession of multiple firearms and ammunition. Lorenzo Lindsey (28) pleaded guilty in September 2020 to felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents and admissions made by Lindsey, on November 16, 2018, he possessed three 9mm firearms and 100 rounds of ammunition while he was in a gun store. From June 2018 to January 2019, he possessed a 9mm firearm and ammunition at his residence. He had previously fired the 9mm at an indoor shooting range. Lindsey has at least three felony convictions, and he is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm and ammunition. United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Acting Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) made the announcement. This case was investigated by the ATF. Assistant United States Attorney Edward Veronda prosecuted the case. If you have information about illegal firearms activity, submit a tip to ATF by calling the hotline at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867) or through the ReportIt mobile app. ###


title: California Man Indicted for Importing More Than 100 Pounds of Methamphetamine From Mexico

component: USAO - Arizona

body_text: PHOENIX, Ariz. – David Daniel Gallegos, 21, of Pomona, California, was indicted last week on two counts: Importation of Methamphetamine and Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. The United States alleges that, on March 14, 2023, Gallegos applied for admission into the United States from Mexico via a vehicle lane at the San Luis Port of Entry in San Luis, Arizona. United States Customs and Border Protection officers conducted an inspection that revealed a total of 103 packages hidden within the vehicle’s doors, rear quarter panel, and center console. The total weight of the packages was 104.47 pounds, and they contained a white substance that field tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and up to lifetime supervised release. An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Homeland Security Investigations, Yuma Office, is conducting the investigation in this case. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph K. Nwoga, District of Arizona, Yuma, is handling the prosecution. CASE NUMBER: CR-23-00553-DLR RELEASE NUMBER: 2023-055_Gallegos # # # For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, on Twitter @USAO_AZ for the latest news.


title: Red Lake Felon Sentenced to Over Five Years in Prison for Firearm Possession, Fentanyl Distribution

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: DULUTH, Minn. – A Red Lake man has been sentenced to 63 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm as a felon and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, on June 22, 2022, after Matt Dion Sayers, 47, had escaped from Red Lake Police custody, agents began investigating Sayers for suspected ongoing drug distribution from a motel in Bemidji. Agents observed Sayers arrive and park his vehicle at the motel, and then enter and exit a silver van parked nearby. Law enforcement detained Sayers moments after he left the van for suspicion of controlled substance sales and driving without a valid driver's license. Sayers told agents that he was staying at a room inside the motel, for which agents had already obtained a search warrant. During a search, agents found approximately 46 grams of fentanyl powder in Sayers’ pants pocket. During a search of Sayers’ Chevy Impala, law enforcement located approximately $11,000 in cash, a small safe containing various packaged controlled substances (including but not limited to multiple additional fentanyl and methamphetamine in small baggies). Law enforcement also located a loaded UZI Pro Brand 9 x 19 mm caliber semi-automatic pistol, which was found on the front driver's side floorboard. Sayers pleaded guilty on December 13, 2022, to one count of possessing a firearm as a felon and one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl. He was sentenced on April 16, 2023, before U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force, the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office, and the Red Lake Tribal Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Albania Concepcion and Allen A. Slaughter prosecuted the case.


title: Security guard detained for attempted human smuggling

body_text: McALLEN, Texas – A 59-year-old legal permanent resident of Mission has been ordered to remain in custody for his role in attempting to smuggle an undocumented alien, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Ernesto Gaona-Gonzalez appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nadia S. Medrano who found him to be a danger to the community and a flight risk and ordered him to remain in custody pending further criminal proceedings. A federal grand jury retuned the indictment April 5, which was unsealed upon his arrest April 12. Gaona allegedly attempted to transport an alien by motor vehicle through Mission. Gaona was employed as a security guard for the purpose of checking vehicles entering Anzalduas Park in Mission. At the hearing today, the court heard that on Sept. 4, 2022, a female undocumented non-citizen was allegedly being held against her will. Gaona allegedly had the victim in his vehicle and contacted a friend for money in exchange for releasing her. If convicted, Gaona faces up to five years in prison and a maximum $250,000 fine. Homeland Security Investigations conducted the investigation with the assistance of Border Patrol and the Federal Air Marshal Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jongwoo Chung is prosecuting the case. An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.


title: Statement of U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell on the Passing of Former U.S. Attorney Randy Seiler

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: SIOUX FALLS – Today, United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell of the District of South Dakota issued the following statement on the death of former U.S. Attorney Randy Seiler: “With profound sadness, our office mourns the untimely passing of our friend and former colleague Randy Seiler. Randy served South Dakota for over two decades as a federal prosecutor and, ultimately, as United States Attorney. He led with unparalleled dedication to the cause of justice and equality under the law. Randy was an inspiring and tenacious leader, and we will miss him dearly. Our thoughts are with Randy’s wife, Wanda, and their family during this difficult time.”


title: New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Violations of the Federal Gun Control and Controlled Substances Acts

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

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – On April 11, 2023, BURNEAL ELLIOTT , age 21, of New Orleans, pleaded guilty to a four-count indictment for possession of a machinegun, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. As to Counts 1 and 2, ELLIOTT faces a maximum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years of supervised release. As to Count 3, ELLIOTT faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty (20) years, a fine not to exceed $1,000,0000, and at least three (3) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. As to Count 4, ELLIOTT faces a minimum term of imprisonment of five (5) years, a maximum term of imprisonment of life, all to be run consecutive to any other term of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to five (5) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment. As to each count , ELLIOTT also faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Mike Trummel of the Violent Crime Unit handled the prosecution.


title: Laguna Man Charged with Kidnapping, Assault in Indian Country

component: USAO - New Mexico

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced today that Bret Anthony Vallo was arraigned on an indictment charging him with kidnapping, assault of an intimate partner by strangling, and assault with a dangerous weapon. Vallo, 31, of Laguna, and a member of the Laguna Pueblo Tribal, will remain on conditions of release pending trial, which has not been scheduled. A federal grand jury indicted Vallo on June 15, 2022. According to the indictment and other court records, on March 21, 2019, kidnapped his intimate partner, identified as Jane Doe, by unlawfully confining her. On May 30, 2019, Vallo assaulted Doe by strangling and suffocating her, then, between July 1 and July 15, 2019, Vallo assault Doe with a dangerous weapon, specifically, a metal bar, with the intent to cause her bodily harm. An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Vallo faces 151 months in prison. The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case with assistance from the Pueblo of Acoma Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Robert James Booth II is prosecuting the case.


title: Sturgis Man Sentenced for Illegal Possession of Firearm

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Sturgis, South Dakota, man convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. The sentencing took place on April 14, 2023. Dallas Ford, 29, was sentenced to three years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Ford was indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person by a federal grand jury in March of 2022. He pleaded guilty on January 6, 2023. The charge stems from Ford illegal possessing a .22 caliber, semi-automatic pistol in December of 2021 in Sturgis. 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. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives, and the Sturgis Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Patterson prosecuted the case. Ford was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Florida Man Found Guilty of Attempted Enticement of a Minor

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted James Dean Hanapel, age 22, of Jacksonville, Florida, of Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet following a 3-day jury trial in federal district court in Rapid City, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on April 13, 2023. The charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine, five years up to lifetime of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Hanapel was indicted by a federal grand jury in August of 2021. Evidence at trial established that Hanapel was arrested as a result of an undercover sex trafficking operation conducted during the 2021 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, targeting internet predators. Following his sending of multiple chats and sexually explicit text messages to a person Hanapel believed to be a 14-year-old girl, but who was in fact an undercover agent, Hanapel negotiated a time and place he would meet the minor to engage in unlawful sex acts. When Hanapel arrived at the pre-determined location to meet the person he believed was the minor, he was instead met by law enforcement agents and placed under arrest. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc . This case was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation, South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, Homeland Security Investigations, Rapid City Police Department, and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah B. Collins prosecuted the case. A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date has not been set. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Pine Ridge Man Sentenced to Federal Prison

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a Pine Ridge, South Dakota, man convicted of Brandishing a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence and Assault on a Federal Officer was sentenced on April 10, 2023, by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken. As to the charge of Brandishing a Firearm During the Commission of a Crime of Violence, Daniel Tobacco, age 29, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. As to the Assault on a Federal Officer charge, Tobacco was sentenced to four years and nine months in federal prison to be served consecutively with the other sentence, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay another $100 special assessment. Tobacco was indicted for the charges by a federal grand jury in September of 2021, and pleaded guilty in December of 2022. The conviction stems from Tobacco engaging in a standoff with tribal and federal law enforcement at a residence north of Pine Ridge on September 2, 2021. Tobacco fired a semiautomatic pistol several times during the standoff. Tobacco pointed the gun toward an approaching Tribal law enforcement officer and squeezed the trigger as he was tased by the officer. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. The case was investigated by the Oglala Sioux Tribe Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Sazama prosecuted the case. Tobacco was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Los Angeles Man Arrested on Complaint Alleging He Robbed 31 Gas Stations and Stores and Carjacked Two Motorists in Crime Spree

component: USAO - California, Central

body_text: SANTA ANA, California – A Los Angeles man has been arrested on a federal criminal complaint alleging he committed armed robberies at Southern California convenience stores and gas stations during a 3½-week crime spree in which he also committed two carjackings, the Justice Department announced today. Namir Malik Ali Greene, 23, was arrested Monday and is charged with interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act). At a brief court appearance this afternoon in United States District Court in Santa Ana, Greene was ordered held in federal custody until a detention hearing scheduled for Thursday. According to the complaint filed today, Greene committed 31 robberies or attempted robberies of gas stations and convenience stores and at least two carjackings in Los Angeles and Orange counties from March 21 to April 15. During the robberies, Greene allegedly brandished a firearm at the station and store employees, threatening to shoot them if they did not retrieve money for him from the cash register. For example, the complaint affidavit alleges, on April 4, Greene robbed eight gas station convenience stores and attempted to rob one more. During each robbery, Greene allegedly pointed a black semi-automatic handgun at the store clerk and demanded money from the cash register. On that day, Greene stole at least $2,554 from gas station stores in Hermosa Beach, Marina del Rey, Long Beach, Pico Rivera, Whittier, Montebello, Santa Monica, and Los Angeles’ Mid-City neighborhood, according to the affidavit. In total, Greene allegedly stole at least $15,360 in cash during his robbery spree and primarily targeted stores in Los Angeles County. He also allegedly carjacked a motorist at a Fullerton gas station on March 21 and he allegedly robbed an Anaheim gas station on April 15. Approximately 90 minutes prior to the Anaheim robbery, Greene allegedly carjacked a victim in Los Angeles and used the victim’s Honda Accord as his robbery getaway car. Two days later, law enforcement located the stolen Honda Accord in Ontario and initiated a traffic stop. Greene instead tried to escape, and a vehicle pursuit ensued, with Greene eventually losing control of the car, colliding with a curb, and disabling the vehicle, according to the affidavit. Greene allegedly fled the disabled Honda Accord on foot and was apprehended shortly afterward by law enforcement, who took him into custody. Greene was identified from security camera footage, eyewitness testimony, his tattoos, his jewelry, and photographs in his Instagram account, according to the affidavit. A complaint contains allegations that a defendant committed a crime. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. If convicted of the Hobbs Act robbery charge, Greene would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ Orange County Violent Crime Task Force (OCVCTF) investigated this matter, with assistance from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery Homicide Division and the Ontario Police Department. The OCVCTF is comprised of federal and local law enforcement agencies, including, but not limited to, the ATF, the Brea Police Department, the Santa Ana Police Department, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, and the Fullerton Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey M. Chemerinsky, Chief of the Violent and Organized Crime Section, is prosecuting this case.


title: Alleged Kidnapper Competent To Stand Trial

component: USAO - Michigan, Western

body_text: Evidence Shows Defendant Faking Incompetency GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney Mark Totten for the Western District of Michigan today announced that U.S. Magistrate Judge Ray Kent found Gerald Bennett, 63, of Detroit, competent to stand trial for kidnapping a minor in 2018. “Today’s ruling is an important step forward,” said U.S. Attorney Totten. “My office is prepared to prove these allegations against Mr. Bennett as we seek justice for the victim’s family.” In August of 2022, a federal grand jury charged Bennett with kidnapping a minor in 2018. Bennett’s trial was subsequently delayed so he could undergo an evaluation for mental competency. During today’s hearing, Judge Kent considered evidence prepared by Dr. Leticia Armstrong, a forensic psychologist from the Bureau of Prisons. Dr. Armstrong concluded that Bennett understood the nature of the proceedings against him and was able to participate in his own defense. The court noted Dr. Armstrong’s finding that, “there is evidence to suggest the defendant is feigning symptomology, or exaggerating, with the goal of being found incompetent to stand trial . . . .” As Dr. Armstrong explained in her report, Bennett’s “attempt to feign and exaggerate during the current evaluation evidenced higher ordered, complex thinking.” After considering this evidence, Judge Kent ruled that Bennett was competent. The Court’s ruling allows the case to proceed to trial. If convicted of the offense, Bennett will face a minimum term of 20 years and a maximum of life in prison. If released from prison, Bennett must serve at least 5 years on supervised release and could spend the rest of his life under the court’s supervision. The court’s ruling is the most recent event in a case that has been unfolding since 2017. The Kent County Prosecutor’s Office charged Gerald Bennett and Quinn James with murder of the minor victim in a related case. James proceeded to trial and was convicted of both the rape and murder of the minor victim, and he was sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole. After considering conflicting expert testimony, the judge presiding over the case found Bennett was mentally impaired and adjudicated him incompetent. Afterwards, Bennett’s state charges were dismissed, and he was freed without conditions in March of 2022. The case was then referred to the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for consideration of federal charges. In July 2022, Bennett was arrested on a federal criminal complaint for kidnapping a minor and was formally charged by a federal grand jury by indictment on August 9, 2022. The court will schedule Bennett’s arraignment, detention hearing, and trial at a later date. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Mekaru and Austin Hakes and investigated by the Grand Rapids Police Department and the FBI in cooperation with the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office. The charges in an indictment are merely accusations, and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. ###


title: Former Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Theft of Firearms from Police Weapons Vault and Tampering with Multiple Witnesses

body_text: SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Former police officer William Cintrón-Rivera, a.k.a. “El Kid/Kid” pleaded guilty to the theft of 54 guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition from the Puerto Rico Police Bureau, Guayama headquarters on July 17, 2019. On January 20, 2021, a federal grand jury charged the defendant with multiple counts of firearms violations and tampering with witnesses. According to court documents, on July 17, 2019, in the District of Puerto Rico, defendant Cintrón-Rivera stole 54 firearms from the Puerto Rico Police Bureau (PRPB), Guayama headquarters. At the time of the theft, defendant Cintrón-Rivera was a police officer in the PRPB. In addition, the defendant was charged with the possession of six of the stolen firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition. The investigation revealed that Cintrón-Rivera attempted to intimidate and corruptly persuade two individuals to provide false information to federal investigators relevant to the theft, such as Cintrón-Rivera’s whereabouts on the night of the crime. Cintrón-Rivera also attempted to intimidate and corruptly persuade a female to provide false information to federal investigators regarding (a) the nature and duration of their relationship; (b) Cintrón-Rivera’s whereabouts during the timeframe of the theft; (c) the identity of an alleged informant; and (d) communications involving Cintrón-Rivera and her, including payment for an alleged cell phone. Cintrón-Rivera is scheduled to be sentenced on August 2, 2023. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow of the District of Puerto Rico and Christopher Robinson, Special Agent in Charge for ATF, made the announcement. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Puerto Rico Police Bureau are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luis A. Valentin and Jonathan L. Gottfried, Chief of the Violent Crimes and National Security Section, were in charge of the prosecution of the case. ###


title: Kyle Hendrickson Scheduled for Initial Appearance in Federal Court Today

component: USAO - New Hampshire

body_text: CONCORD – Kyle Hendrickson, 25, will appear before Magistrate Judge Andrea K. Johnstone for an initial appearance in federal court today, April 18, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. in connection with his alleged threat to the Portsmouth High School on April 12, 2023, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Hendrickson was charged with transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to injure the person of another on April 14, 2023. He was arrested on April 13, 2023 on state charges, and transferred into federal custody this morning. According to the charging documents, Hendrickson posted a video to his SnapChat account on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, in which he brandished a handgun while in a vehicle outside of the Portsmouth High School. The video includes a text overlay that reads “imma shoot up the school.” School surveillance footage placed Hendrickson’s vehicle outside the high school at the time of the video. Law enforcement recovered an AR-15 rifle, a shotgun, camouflage body armor, a handgun holster, a red-dot sight, and numerous rounds of ammunition from Hendrickson’s vehicle. A handgun that resembles the one used in the SnapChat video was also recovered near a motel where Hendrickson had stayed on April 12, 2023. The charge provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division, and the Portsmouth Police Department led the investigation. The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Somersworth Police Department, the Portland (Maine) Police Department, and the Berwick (Maine) Police Department provided valuable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau is prosecuting the case. The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. ###


component: Criminal Division

body_text: A federal grand jury in Tampa, Florida, returned a superseding indictment charging four U.S. citizens and three Russian nationals with working on behalf of the Russian government and in conjunction with the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) to conduct a multi-year foreign malign influence campaign in the United States. Among other conduct, the superseding indictment alleges that the Russian defendants recruited, funded and directed U.S. political groups to act as unregistered illegal agents of the Russian government and sow discord and spread pro-Russian propaganda; the indicted intelligence officers, in particular, participated in covertly funding and directing candidates for local office within the United States. Additionally, in a separate case out of the District of Columbia, a criminal complaint was unsealed charging Russian national Natalia Burlinova with conspiring with an FSB officer to act as an illegal agent of Russia in the United States. “Russia’s foreign intelligence service allegedly weaponized our First Amendment rights – freedoms Russia denies its own citizens – to divide Americans and interfere in elections in the United States,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The department will not hesitate to expose and prosecute those who sow discord and corrupt U.S. elections in service of hostile foreign interests, regardless of whether the culprits are U.S. citizens or foreign individuals abroad.” “Efforts by the Russian government to secretly influence U.S. elections will not be tolerated,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “As today’s announcement demonstrates, the Criminal Division is committed to eradicating foreign malign influence from the U.S. political system and helping ensure the integrity of our elections.” “Today’s announcement paints a harrowing picture of Russian government actions and the lengths to which the FSB will go to interfere with our elections, sow discord in our nation and ultimately recruit U.S citizens to their efforts,” said Acting Assistant Director Kurt Ronnow of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. “All Americans should be deeply concerned by the tactics employed by the FSB and remain vigilant to any attempt to undermine our democracy. The FBI remains committed to confronting this egregious behavior and ultimately disrupting our adversaries and those who act on their behalf.” United States v. Ionov, et al. According to the superseding indictment returned in the Middle District of Florida, Aleksandr Viktorovich Ionov, a resident of Moscow, was the founder and president of the Anti-Globalization Movement of Russia (AGMR), an organization headquartered in Moscow, Russia, and funded by the Russian government. Ionov allegedly utilized AGMR to carry out Russia’s malign influence campaign. Ionov’s influence efforts were allegedly directed and supervised by Moscow-based FSB officers, including indicted defendants Aleksey Borisovich Sukhodolov and Yegor Sergeyevich Popov. “The prosecution of this criminal conduct is essential to protecting the American public when foreign governments seek to inject themselves into the American political process,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg for the Middle District of Florida. “We thank our partners at the FBI for their tireless investigation of these events and their commitment to ensure justice is done.” Among other illegal activities, the superseding indictment alleges that Ionov, Sukhodolov and Popov conspired to directly and substantially influence democratic elections in the United States by clandestinely funding and directing the political campaign of a particular candidate for local office in St. Petersburg, Florida, in 2019. For instance, the superseding indictment alleges that Popov expressly referred to this effort on behalf of the FSB as “our election campaign,” and Ionov referring to the candidate as the “candidate whom we supervise.” Ionov and Popov allegedly intended that this election interference plot would extend beyond the 2019 local election cycle in St. Petersburg, and subsequently discussed that the “USA Presidential election” was the FSB’s “main topic of the year.” Moreover, from at least November 2014 until July 2022, Ionov allegedly engaged in a years-long foreign malign influence campaign targeting the United States. As a part of the campaign, Ionov allegedly recruited members of political groups within the United States, including the African People’s Socialist Party and the Uhuru Movement (collectively, the APSP) in Florida, Black Hammer in Georgia and a political group in California (referred to in the superseding indictment as U.S. Political Group 3), to participate in the influence campaign and act as agents of Russia in the United States, including the following indicted defendants: Omali Yeshitela, a U.S. citizen residing in St. Petersburg, Florida, and St. Louis, Missouri, who served as the chairman and founder of the APSP; Penny Joanne Hess, a U.S. citizen residing in St. Petersburg, Florida, and St. Louis, Missouri, who served as the leader of a component of the APSP; Jesse Nevel, a U.S. citizen residing in St. Petersburg, Florida, and St. Louis, Missouri, who served as a member of a component of the APSP; and Augustus C. Romain Jr., aka Gazi Kodzo, a U.S. citizen residing in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Atlanta, who served as a leader of the APSP and a founder of Black Hammer in Georgia. One focus of Ionov’s alleged influence operation was to create the appearance of American popular support for Russia’s annexation of territories in Ukraine. For example, in May 2020, Ionov allegedly sent a request he stated was from “Russia, the Donetsk People’s Republic” – an apparent reference to a Russian-occupied region in eastern Ukraine – to Yeshitela and members of other U.S. political groups to make statements in support of the independence of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, a Russian-backed breakaway state in eastern Ukraine. Ionov later allegedly touted to the FSB that Yeshitela’s video-recorded statement of support was the first time that “American nonprofit organizations congratulated citizens” of the occupied region. Ionov’s use of the APSP to promote Russian propaganda relating to Ukraine allegedly continued after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. On the day Russia invaded Ukraine, Feb. 24, 2022, Ionov allegedly emailed Nevel an “URGENT MESSAGE” which contained pro-Russian talking points in support of the invasion. Thereafter, throughout March 2022, the APSP repeatedly hosted Ionov via video conference to discuss the war, during which Ionov falsely stated that anyone who supported Ukraine also supported Naziism and white supremacy, and Yeshitela and another APSP member allegedly made statements of solidarity with the Russian government. Ionov, Sukhodolov, Popov, Yeshitela, Hess, Nevel and Romain are charged with conspiring to have U.S. citizens act as illegal agents of the Russian government within the United States without providing prior notification to the Attorney General, as required by law. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Yeshitela, Hess and Nevel are also charged with acting as agents of Russia within the United States without such prior notification. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. If convicted, a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel J. Marcet and Risha Asokan for the Middle District of Florida, Trial Attorney Menno Goedman of the Justice Department’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, and Trial Attorney Demetrius Sumner of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section are prosecuting the case. United States v. Burlinova According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint unsealed in the District of Columbia, Russian national Natalia Burlinova, a resident of Moscow, conspired with an FSB officer to recruit U.S. citizens from academic and research institutions to travel to Russia to participate in a public diplomacy program called Meeting Russia. The program was operated by PICREADI, a Russian organization led by Burlinova, funded by the Russian government and devoted to promoting Russian national interests. “The defendant is accused of subverting our foreign agent notification laws to promote Russian national interests here in the United States, concealing from the public that her recruitment efforts were funded by a Russian security service,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “We will continue to expose these serious crimes and hold all who perpetrate them accountable.” The affidavit alleges that the FSB officer provided funding and other support for Burlinova’s foreign recruitment and her efforts to advance Russian interests in the United States. In return, Burlinova provided the FSB officer with extensive information about U.S. citizens who were recruited to attend her programs, including their résumés, passport information, photographs and analyses of their views toward Russia. Burlinova further identified for the FSB officer particular U.S. citizens who, in Burlinova’s view, had expressed positive attitudes towards Russia and were prepared to continue to collaborate. During a recruitment trip to the United States in fall 2018, Burlinova met with U.S. citizens at various universities and research institutions and provided to photographs of her meetings to the FSB officer. The FSB officer used the information Burlinova provided prepare FSB intelligence reports. Burlinova never notified the Attorney General of these efforts or otherwise disclosed to the public that her recruitment efforts were supported and funded by a Russian security service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Friedman for the District of Columbia and Trial Attorney Emma D. Ellenrieder of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case. An indictment and a complaint are merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Former Account Administrator Pleads Guilty to Payroll Fraud Scheme

component: USAO - District of Columbia

body_text: WASHINGTON – Warrenetta Renee Smith, 56, of District Heights, Maryland, pleaded guilty today in Superior Court to one count of First-Degree Fraud for a payroll fraud scheme in which she stole more than $62,000 from her former employer. U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia and Chief Robert Contee III of the Metropolitan Police Department made the announcement. According to court documents, Smith, who was employed by a Washington, D.C. small business as an account specialist in the company’s accounting department, used her access to the company’s payroll management system to falsify her own payroll information for at least 84 pay periods between July 2018 and May 2020. To perpetuate the scheme, Smith would compile the weekly payroll information for each of the company’s employees to submit for approval by the company’s CFO. However, after receiving the necessary approvals, Smith altered her own approved regular hours, overtime, or leave in the company’s payroll management system, in order to fraudulently increase her pay for the applicable pay period. The Honorable Andrea Hertzfeld accepted Smith’s guilty plea and scheduled sentencing for June 16, 2023. As part of the plea agreement, Smith agreed to pay $35,000 in restitution. In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Financial and Cyber Crimes Unit. They also commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin D. Bleiberg for investigating and prosecuting the case.


title: Former insurance agent sentenced to prison for defrauding victims by creating life insurance policies in their names without their knowledge

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: CINCINNATI – A former insurance agent was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 24 months in prison for defrauding dozens of victims in the Cincinnati and Dayton areas. Seneca Birchmore, 45, of Cincinnati, committed aggravated identity theft. Birchmore also fraudulently obtained two COVID Paycheck Protection Program loans. As part of his sentence, Birchmore was ordered to pay nearly $147,000 in restitution. According to court documents, Birchmore lost his license as an insurance agent in 2019 because he was writing unauthorized insurance policies so that he could collect the commissions. After losing his license, Birchmore then stole the identities of two other insurance agents and used those identities to write more life insurance policies for customers who did not want them. Birchmore had the commissions from dozens of local victims’ policies deposited into his own bank accounts. Local law enforcement departments received complaints from victims that money was being automatically withdrawn from their bank accounts for insurance policies they never ordered. Many of the victims are senior citizens, and most reside in Dayton, Englewood, Middletown and Cincinnati. The commissions for Birchmore’s original fraudulent insurance policies under his own name as an agent totaled more than $8,000. The commissions for policies created under the stolen identities of other agents totaled more than $93,000. “This case is based plainly on Birchmore’s greed combined with his wanton acts to take advantage of some of society’s most vulnerable people, the senior customers,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. “Unfortunately, the victims in the case are not only the customers, but also the insurance agents whose identities he stole as well as the insurance companies he caused to pay the fraudulent commissions.” As part of his conviction, Birchmore was ordered to pay the following restitution: Americo Financial Life and Annuity Insurance Company: $34,820.37 Columbian Life Insurance Company: $16,604.01 Transamerica Life Insurance Company: $4,671 Mutual of Omaha: $2,104.65 Great Western Insurance Company: $16,303.17 Aetna Health and Life Insurance Company: $8,826.84 American General Life Insurance Company: $2,718.45 Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company: $17,906.07 Integrity Market: $1,000.00 U.S. Small Business Administration: $41,665 In a separate scheme, Birchmore fraudulently obtained two COVID Paycheck Protection Program loans totaling more than $40,000. Birchmore claimed on both loan applications that he owned a business in his name and stated his gross income for 2019 was more than $13 million. No such business existed. The defendant was charged federally and arrested in June 2022. He pleaded guilty in January 2023. “I commend the diligence of the Ohio Department of Insurance's investigatory team for bringing detailed aspects of this case to light, and the work of the partner agencies to ensure accountability for breaking the law,” said Ohio Department of Insurance Director Judith L. French. “Insurance crimes are serious. They negatively impact consumers and also drive up the cost of insurance for all Ohioans.” U.S. Attorney Parker and Director French were joined by the Social Security Office of Inspector General, U.S. Secret ServiceOhio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, U.S. Marshals Service, Butler County Sheriff’s Office and Cincinnati Police Department in announcing the sentence imposed on April 13 by Senior U.S. District Judge Susan J. Dlott. Assistant United States Attorney Julie D. Garcia and former Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Landry represented the United States in this case. # # #


title: International Business Organizations Convicted of Criminal Conspiracy to Violate Iranian Sanctions

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: WASHINGTON – Two international business organizations pleaded guilty and were sentenced today in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for their participation in a criminal conspiracy to violate U.S. export laws and sanctions by sending U.S.-origin goods to Iran. Taiwan business organization DES International Co., Ltd. (“DES”), and Brunei business organization Soltech Industry Co., Ltd. (“Soltech”), each pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States and to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations. The two companies were each sentenced to pay a fine of $83,769, which is three times the value of the goods unlawfully exported to Iran, and to serve a five-year term of corporate probation. The sentences were handed down by United States District Judge Jia M. Cobb. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Matthew M. Graves; Assistant Attorney General of the National Security Division Matthew G. Olsen; Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich, Jr., of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) San Antonio Field Office; Acting Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee, of the San Antonio, Texas, Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations at the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Special Agent in Charge Michael Mentavlos, of the Southwest Field Office of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service of the Department of Defense (DCIS); and Special Agent in Charge Trey McClish, of the Dallas Field Office of the Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement (DOC). “We will pursue individuals and organizations, wherever located, who would threaten our national security by attempting to illegally resell U.S. origin goods to Iran,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “The U.S. government has many avenues to hold those who break our sanctions and export control laws accountable and will ensure that the penalties for these crimes will be substantially greater than the anticipated profit from these schemes. We thank all of our law enforcement partners for their unwavering commitment to this effort.” “The defendant companies, which shared common directors and employees, have pled guilty to obtaining US export-controlled goods for the benefit of the government of Iran and concealing the US origin of those good to facilitate their illicit transfer,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Today we are holding them accountable for violating our laws at the expense of US national security.” “The defendants in this case took actions that placed profit and economic gain above U.S. national security and global stability,” said FBI San Antonio Division Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich Jr. “Today’s sentencing demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense and Department of Commerce to hold accountable anyone who would threaten U.S. national security and the safety of the American people.” “HSI will continue to work with our federal and international law enforcement partners to ensure offenders who are violating U.S. export laws and sanctions are brought to justice,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee, HSI San Antonio. “We will remain steadfast in our commitment to protect our homeland from all adversaries. “Keeping our nation's sensitive technologies out of the hands of our adversaries is one of our highest priorities," said Special Agent in Charge Mentavlos, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Southwest Field Office. “DCIS, the law enforcement arm of the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, and our federal partners are committed to identifying and holding accountable those that seek to evade U.S. export enforcement laws, putting our warfighters at risk.” “BIS’s aggressive enforcement of the Export Administration Regulations plays a critical role in protecting U.S. national security,” said Special Agent in Charge Trey McClish. Dallas Field Office of the Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement “In this instance, our partnership with HSI, DCIS, FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office sends the message that violating U.S. export control rules on Iran will not be tolerated.” According to the plea agreement documents, DES and Soltech, which were affiliated with one another by virtue of common directors, employees, and customers, both procured goods from the United States for the benefit of Iranian government entities and business organizations. In particular, a sales agent for both DES and Soltech helped an Iranian research center obtain U.S. goods without a license from the Department of the Treasury. These goods included a power amplifier designed for use in electromechanical devices as well as cybersecurity software. The companies’ sales agent took steps to conceal the U.S. origin of the goods, including by removing serial number stickers with the phrase “Made in USA” from packages, and by causing the cybersecurity software to be downloaded onto a computer outside of Iran. In addition, the sales agent shared developments regarding this illegal conduct with other employees and directors of DES and Soltech. An arrest warrant issued for the sales agent has not yet been executed. The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s San Antonio, Texas, Field Office, HSI, DCIS, and DOC. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Friedman and National Security Division Trial Attorney Christopher M. Rigali are representing the United States.


title: Manchester Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing More Than $165,500 in a Series of Robberies

body_text: CONCORD – A Manchester man pleaded guilty in federal court to a bank robbery and Hobbs Act robberies in connection with four gas stations in New Hampshire, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces. Hector Rivera Ayala, 34, pleaded guilty to four counts of Hobbs Act robbery and one count of bank robbery. U.S. District Court Judge Elliott scheduled sentencing for August 1, 2023. Rivera Ayala was charged on May 14, 2021. In December 2019, Rivera Ayala robbed four gas stations and one bank in Manchester, including Rapid Refill on Second Street; Brother’s Express Gas Station on Union Street; Shell Gas Station on Eddy Road; Shell Gas Station on Hanover Street; and the Bank of New England on Elm Street. Each robbery was captured on video surveillance. For each robbery, the defendant entered the gas station and bank with his face partially obscured and carrying what appeared to be a firearm. Investigators recovered a shawl and a BB gun from the crime scene of one gas station. The defendant’s DNA was found on the shawl. In total, the defendant stole more than $5,500 from the gas stations and more than $160,000 from the bank. The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and restitution. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Manchester Police Department led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter is prosecuting the case. ###


title: Russian Public Diplomacy Advocate Charged With Acting As Agent of Russian Federation in the United States

body_text: WASHINGTON – A criminal complaint was unsealed today in the District of Columbia charging Russian national Natalia Burlinova with conspiracy to act as an agent of the Russian Federation in the United States without prior notification to the Attorney General. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Matthew M. Graves, Assistant Attorney General of the National Security Division Matthew G. Olsen, and Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office James A. Tarasca. “The defendant is accused of subverting our foreign agent notification laws in order to promote Russian national interests here in the United States, concealing from the public that her recruitment efforts were funded by a Russian security service,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “We will continue to expose these serious crimes and hold all who perpetrate them accountable.” “The defendant is accused of exploiting academic and research institutions’ commitment to the free exchange of ideas in order to promote Russian interests,” said Special Agent in Charge Tarasca. “The FBI will continue to prioritize counterintelligence because of the importance of protecting our nation’s vital secrets, and we will work with our partners to investigate and stop individuals who hide their work for foreign governments.” According to the affidavit in support of criminal complaint, Burlinova recruited U.S. citizens from academic and research institutions to travel to Russia in order to participate in a public diplomacy program called Meeting Russia. The program was operated by a Russian organization called PICREADI that was funded by the Russian government and devoted to Russian national interests. Burlinova’s co-conspirator was employed by the Russian Federal Security Service (“FSB”), Russia’s principal security service with counterintelligence and surveillance responsibilities. The FSB Officer provided funding and other support for Burlinova’s foreign recruitment and her efforts to advance Russian interests in the United States. The affidavit in support of criminal complaint states that Burlinova provided extensive information to the FSB Officer about the U.S. citizens that were recruited to attend her programs, including resumes, passport information, photographs, and analysis of their views towards Russia. Burlinova informed the FSB Officer about particular U.S. citizens who, in Burlinova’s view, had expressed positive attitudes towards Russia and were prepared to continue to collaborate. The FSB Officer used the information to prepare security service reports. During a recruitment trip to the United States in fall 2018, Burlinova met with U.S. citizens at various universities and research institutions and provided to photographs of her meetings to the FSB Officer. Burlinova never notified the Attorney General of these efforts or otherwise disclosed to the public that her recruitment efforts were funded by a Russian security service. Burlinova was sanctioned by the Department of the Treasury on July 29, 2022. The factual allegations in a criminal complaint are merely allegations and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant faces up to ten years of imprisonment if convicted. The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Friedman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, and Trial Attorney Emma D. Ellenrieder of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.


title: OFAC-Designated Hezbollah Financier and Eight Associates Charged with Multiple Crimes Arising Out of Scheme to Evade Terrorism-Related Sanctions

component: Criminal - Office of International Affairs

body_text: A nine-count indictment was unsealed today in the Eastern District of New York charging Nazem Ahmad and eight co-defendants with conspiring to defraud the United States and foreign governments, evade U.S. sanctions and customs laws and conduct money laundering transactions by securing goods and services for the benefit of Ahmad, a Lebanese resident and dual Belgian-Lebanese citizen who was sanctioned by the United States for being a financier for Hezbollah, a foreign terrorist organization. According to court documents, despite being sanctioned and prohibited from engaging in transactions with U.S. persons since December 2019, Ahmad and his co-conspirators relied on a complex web of business entities to obtain valuable artwork from U.S. artists and art galleries and to secure U.S.-based diamond-grading services all while hiding Ahmad’s involvement in and benefit from these activities. Approximately $160 million worth of artwork and diamond-grading services were transacted through the U.S. financial system. One defendant was arrested today in the United Kingdom at the request of the United States, and the eight remaining defendants, including Ahmad, are believed to reside outside the United States and remain at large. The government obtained seizure warrants for millions of dollars in assets that include a diamond ring, cash in an account and artwork. “Despite being sanctioned for his dealings with a terrorist organization, Mr. Ahmad remained active in the U.S.-based art and diamond trade while concealing his illicit involvement,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Today, we hold Ahmad and his associates accountable and demonstrate that those who would flout our sanctions cannot hide from U.S. justice.” “The United States implemented terrorism sanctions so that terrorist organizations like Hezbollah would be cut off from the goods and services needed to fund violent acts of terrorism,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. “As alleged, Nazem Ahmad and his co-defendants benefitted from the multimillion-dollar trade in diamonds and artwork even after Ahmad was sanctioned for his involvement with a terrorist organization. Our office will continue to prosecute individuals who evade these sanctions and thereby offer a lifeline to designated foreign terrorist organizations.” “Let this action against Nazem Ahmad’s international criminal organization serve as a reminder that the U.S. government and its allies will tirelessly prosecute those who are sanctioned for illicitly financing terrorist activities and wantonly violate those sanctions in order to continue accruing substantial wealth that can be used to continue financing Hezbollah,” said Deputy Secretary John K. Tien of Department of Homeland Security. “We are grateful to our partners across the federal government and our partnership with the United Kingdom that demonstrates international commitment and cooperation to preventing future atrocities by dismantling illicit financial networks supporting terrorism.” “The funding of foreign terrorist organizations like Hezbollah is illegal, regardless of whether that funding comes in the form of cash or the export of high-priced diamonds and art,” said Assistant Secretary Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Department of Commerce. “We are proud to have partnered with the Justice Department and HSI to bring this significant enforcement action.” As alleged, Ahmad was involved in real estate development, the international trade of diamonds, and the international acquisition and sale of artwork, and operated these enterprises through a complex web of business entities. Ahmad was also an associate of high-level members of Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based terrorist group that was designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist. On Dec. 13, 2019, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Global Terrorism Sanctions Regulations, the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Ahmad and 11 businesses associated with Ahmad as Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs) for Ahmad’s material support of, and provision of goods and services to, Hezbollah. At the time of the designation, OFAC explained that Ahmad was “considered a major Hezbollah financial donor who laundered money through his companies for Hezbollah and provided funds personally to Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah” and was also “involved in ‘blood diamond’ smuggling” who “stores some of his personal funds in high-value art.” Despite being sanctioned and prohibited from engaging in most transactions with U.S. persons, Ahmad continued to secure valuable goods and services from U.S. persons notwithstanding that such transactions constituted violations of U.S. sanctions and other federal laws. Specifically, Ahmad, together with his son Firas Michael Ahmad, daughter Hind Nazem Ahmad and brother-in-law Rami Yaacoub Baker, as well as associates Mohamad Hijazi, Mohamad Hassan Ismail, Sarya Nemat Martin, Ali Said Mossalem Sundar Nagarajan and others, used numerous corporate entities and individuals to disguise Ahmad’s control and beneficial interest in the companies and in financial transactions, and facilitate the acquisition of multiple pieces of valuable artwork and diamond-grading services for millions of dollars’ worth of diamonds from U.S. persons. Evasion of Terrorism Sanctions in the Diamond Trade As alleged, the defendants conspired to violate and evade U.S. sanctions by obtaining grading determinations and other services from a U.S.-based diamond grading company (Diamond Grading Company-1). The services of Diamond Grading Company-1, which were secured through multiple entities operating for Ahmad’s benefit, were valuable to the defendants because the services provided can affect the sales price of those diamonds and thus increase the amount that Ahmad can receive for the sale of his property. Collectively, the defendants and other conspirators sent approximately 482 diamond submissions to Diamond Grading Company-1 facilities after Ahmad was designated by OFAC in December 2019. The total weight of the diamonds submitted and graded post-sanctions was approximately 1,546 carats. For example, on or about March 18, 2021, an entity operating for the benefit of Ahmad shipped an approximately 45-carat diamond – valued at $80 million – to a facility belonging to Diamond Grading Company-1 in New York. Following the receipt of services from Diamond Grading Company-1, the 45-carat diamond was exported from the United States on April 26, 2021, back to the same entity. Evasion of Terrorism Sanctions in the Art Market The defendants also conspired to violate and evade U.S. sanctions by acquiring contemporary art from the United States, from U.S. persons outside the United States, or through U.S.-based financial transactions, on behalf of and for the benefit of Ahmad, despite his status as an OFAC-sanctioned SDN. Artwork allegedly obtained from the United States after Ahmad was sanctioned in December 2019 was valued at more than $450,000, while an additional $780,000 in artwork from U.S. persons located outside the United States was also acquired in violation of terrorism sanctions. For example, in or about and between April 2021 and July 2021, Ahmad and several other defendants engaged in multiple transactions with a Chicago-based art gallery (Chicago Art Gallery-1), on behalf of and for the benefit of Ahmad. Ahmad allegedly commissioned multiple pieces of artwork, at least one of which can be seen in a picture with Ahmad, as depicted below: Between approximately February 2021 and November 2021, Ahmad and two other defendants engaged in transactions with a New York-based artist (New York Artist-1), on behalf of and for the benefit of Ahmad. After Ahmad directly negotiated the sale of artwork from New York Artist-1 – pointedly directing the artist not to mention Ahmad’s name to anyone – six paintings valued at $199,800 were exported from the United States via John F. Kennedy International Airport to a Lebanese business entity used by Ahmad. At least one piece of artwork acquired from New York Artist-1 was hung in Ahmad’s residence in Lebanon. As part of this criminal scheme, the defendants also caused the undervaluation of goods in U.S. customs records in violation of federal law and took other steps to obscure the value of the goods they received in order to avoid the payment of foreign taxes when the goods were imported into the relevant country. The defendants and other conspirators engaged in this scheme to benefit Ahmad and themselves while at the same time evading terrorism-related sanctions, to avoid the payment of taxes to foreign governments on the import of valuable goods into foreign countries and to make it more difficult for the United States government to carry out its lawful functions. Entities controlled by or operating for the benefit of Ahmad engaged in more than $400 million worth of financial transactions between approximately January 2020 and August 2022; the conspirators were responsible for importing more than $207 million of goods to the United States and exporting more than $234 million of goods from the United States between approximately December 2019 and December 2022, consisting primarily of diamonds and artwork; and approximately $160 million worth of transactions involved the U.S. financial system. At least $6 million of the proceeds of the criminal scheme was transferred to Lebanon for use by Ahmad and his associates. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Craig R. Heeren and Nicholas J. Moscow for the Eastern District of New York and Trial Attorney Scott A. Claffee of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialists Benjamin Richmond and Magdalena St. Surin. Assistant U.S. Attorney Claire Kedeshian of the is handling asset forfeiture. The Department of Justice Office of International Affairs is assisting with extradition and international legal assistance in this case. This investigation was a collaboration between HSI Cedar Rapids, New York, HSI New York Counter Proliferation Investigations and Trade Transparency Unit which was made possible through support from HSI Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Raleigh, St. Paul, and Santa Rosa. HSI Attaché offices in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East played critical roles in the investigation. U.S. Customs and Border Protection was also a key investigative partner. The Department also appreciates the significant cooperation and assistance provided by the United Kingdom authorities. An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.


title: Justice Department Secures Agreement with General Motors and Announces a New Resource to Help Employers Avoid Immigration-Related Discrimination When Complying with Export Control Laws

component: Civil Rights Division

body_text: Note: View the Spanish version of the release here . The Justice Department announced today that it has secured a settlement agreement with General Motors (GM) to resolve the department’s determination that GM discriminated against non-U.S. citizens in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The department also announced the release of a new fact sheet to help employers avoid citizenship status discrimination when complying with export control laws, which govern U.S. companies’ ability to export certain goods and software, technology and technical data. The department’s investigation of GM revealed that the company’s violations stemmed in part from its failure to properly consider the INA’s nondiscrimination requirements when also complying with export control laws. “Export control laws do not justify or authorize an employer to discriminate against non-U.S. citizens in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “When employers commit unlawful discrimination, the Civil Rights Division will continue holding them accountable. The Civil Rights Division is issuing a new fact sheet to help educate employers and promote greater compliance with anti-discrimination law going forward.” Under export control laws and regulations, such as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and the Export Administration Regulations, all “U.S. persons” working at U.S. companies can access export-controlled items without authorization from the U.S. government. U.S. persons under these laws include U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, refugees and asylees. An employer might need authorization from the State Department or the Commerce Department to share or release export-controlled items to workers who are not U.S. persons. To confirm if an employer needs to request authorization for an employee to access export-controlled information, the employer might need to obtain a worker’s citizenship or immigration status information to determine whether they are a “U.S. person.” This process is referred to as an “export compliance assessment.” The department’s investigation determined that until at least September 2021, GM’s export compliance assessments unnecessarily required lawful permanent residents to provide an unexpired foreign passport as a condition of employment, imposing a discriminatory barrier on them in the hiring process. From at least July 2019 until May 2021, GM improperly combined its process for verifying workers’ permission to work in the United States with its export compliance assessment, which resulted in GM unnecessarily requiring that newly hired non-U.S. citizens provide specific and unnecessary documents to prove their permission to work. Under the terms of the agreement, GM will pay $365,000 in civil penalties to the United States. The agreement also requires GM to train its personnel on the INA’s requirements, revise its employment policies and be subject to departmental monitoring and reporting requirements. Specifically, GM must separate its process to verify permission to work in the United States from its export compliance assessment process, and stop requiring lawful permanent residents to present foreign passports as a condition of employment. The INA’s anti-discrimination provision generally prohibits employers from discriminating based on citizenship, immigration status or national origin during the hiring process, including by imposing unnecessary documentary demands as a condition of employment. This law also prohibits employers from asking for more documents than necessary or specific documents when checking an employee’s permission to work because of citizenship, immigration status or national origin. Federal law allows workers to choose which valid, legally acceptable documentation to present to demonstrate their identity and permission to work, regardless of citizenship, immigration status or national origin. As explained in the fact sheet issued today, these employer obligations do not change when complying with export-control laws and regulations. The Civil Rights Division’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER) is responsible for enforcing the anti-discrimination provision of the INA. Among other things, the statute generally prohibits discrimination based on citizenship status and national origin in hiring, firing or recruitment or referral for a fee; unfair documentary practices ; retaliation and intimidation . Learn more about IER’s work and how to get assistance through this brief video . Find more information on how employers can avoid discrimination when complying with export control requirements on IER’s website. Applicants or employees who believe they were discriminated against based on their citizenship, immigration status, or national origin in hiring, firing, recruitment or during the employment eligibility verification process (Form I-9 and E-Verify); or subjected to retaliation, may file a charge . The public can also call IER’s worker hotline at 1-800-255-7688 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); call IER’s employer hotline at 1-800-255-8155 (1-800-237-2515, TTY for hearing impaired); email IER@usdoj.gov ; sign up for a free webinar ; or visit IER’s English and Spanish websites. Subscribe for email updates from IER.