title: Sioux City Woman to Federal Prison for Meth Conspiracy

component: USAO - Iowa, Northern

body_text: Kailey Olson, 30, from Sioux City, Iowa, was sentenced June 27, 2023, in federal court in Sioux City, to 29 months’ imprisonment. At the plea hearing on January 12, 2023, Olson admitted that from December 2020 through April 2021, she and others distributed more than 12 kilograms of methamphetamine in the Sioux City area. Olson was an interstate transporter of substantial quantities of methamphetamine and thousands of dollars in a Texas based methamphetamine distribution conspiracy that included the importation of liquid (for lab-based methamphetamine conversion) plus traditional vehicle transport of drugs from Texas to Iowa and bulk transport of money to Texas in payment for the drugs. Sentencing was held before United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. Olson was sentenced to 29 months’ imprisonment and must serve a three-year term of supervised release following imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. Olson remains in custody of the United States Marshal pending transportation to a federal prison. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shawn S. Wehde and was investigated by Tri-State Drug Task Force based in Sioux City, Iowa, that consists of law enforcement personnel from the Drug Enforcement Administration; Sioux City, Iowa, Police Department; Homeland Security Investigations; Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office; South Sioux City, Nebraska, Police Department; Nebraska State Patrol; Iowa National Guard; Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement; United States Marshals Service; South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation; and Woodbury County Attorney’s Office. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl . The case file number is 21-4067. Follow us on Twitter @USAO_NDIA.


title: Leesburg, Georgia, Pair Plead Guilty in Armed Meth Trafficking Case

component: Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

body_text: ALBANY, Ga. – Two Lee County, Georgia, residents have pleaded guilty to federal charges related to armed methamphetamine trafficking in the community. Savanna Brook Fore, 23, of Leesburg, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine today. Fore faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $1,000,000 fine. Co-defendant Matthew Cory Tucker, 35, of Leesburg, pleaded guilty to one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on June 7. Tucker faces a maximum sentence of ten years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner is presiding over this case. Sentencing for both defendants has not been scheduled. “Repeat violent offenders and others committing crimes which threaten peace and safety in our communities will be held to account for their poor choices,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Bringing armed drug traffickers and violent felons to justice is the result of the hard work and dedication of our local, state and federal law enforcement partners.” “Poisonous drugs continue to flow into our communities at the expense of too many lives,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “These individuals must now deal with the consequences of their actions.” “These guilty pleas demonstrate our commitment to holding accountable those who engage in drug trafficking and jeopardize the safety of our communities. We commend the hard work and dedication of our local and federal law enforcement partners in bringing these offenders to justice,” said GBI Director Mike Register. "It takes continuous and dedicated teamwork to remove repeat offenders from our streets and hold them accountable for their crimes. This case is another example of local, state and federal law enforcement working together to protect citizens," said Lee County Sheriff Reggie Rachals. According to court documents, Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) deputies pulled over a truck driven by Fore at approximately 1:10 a.m. on June 2, 2022; Tucker was a passenger. Tucker was covered in blood and deputies spotted a firearm near the center console, along with drugs. Tucker was wanted for an alleged domestic assault that occurred earlier that night. Inside the truck, deputies found a .38 super caliber pistol and a .20-gauge shotgun that Tucker took from the domestic assault victim. Tucker has prior felony convictions in Lee County Superior Court, including aggravated assault and theft by taking. It is illegal for a convicted felon to possess firearms. On the rear floorboard of the truck, deputies located a purple bookbag, which had another smaller red bag attached to it. Fore said they belonged to her; inside the bags deputies found 47 baggies filled with a total of 48 grams of methamphetamine, additional baggies containing a variety of illegal controlled substances and a digital scale. Fore had a firearm concealed in her waistband. Released from jail on bond, deputies learned Fore was continuing to distribute narcotics at a local motel and a family home. GBI and DEA agents, working with a confidential information (CI), made three separate purchases of illegal drugs from Fore, including methamphetamine. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Fore’s family home on Aug. 3, 2022, seizing her cell phone, which revealed conversations between Fore and others about drug deals. This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. This case was investigated by DEA, GBI, LCSO and the Leesburg Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Redavid is prosecuting the case for the Government.


title: Dayton man sentenced to 17 years in prison for narcotics, gun crimes

component: USAO - Ohio, Southern

body_text: DAYTON, Ohio – A Dayton man was sentenced in U.S. District Court today to 204 months in prison for possessing with intent to distribute bulk amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl, and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Laramie Lawson, 37, possessed more than 5.4 kilograms of methamphetamine, more than 500 grams of fentanyl and three firearms, magazines, and ammunition. “To others who may consider going down the same path as Lawson: dealing drugs may seem like easy money, but it is not worth it to lose your liberty,” said U.S. Attorney Kenneth L. Parker. In January 2021, law enforcement encountered Lawson at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport with more than $19,000 in cash concealed in his carry-on bag. The day before, Lawson had purchased a one-way ticket to Los Angeles. He was unemployed at the time. During a later investigation by the FBI’s Southern Ohio Safe Streets Task Force, task force members executed a search warrant at Lawson’s residences on Stolz Avenue and Sylvan Drive. At the Stolz Avenue location, they discovered: 5,405 net grams of methamphetamine, 5.64 net grams of fentanyl and 2.79 net grams of cocaine. The bulk amounts of methamphetamine were in an upstairs bedroom closet as well as a kitchen cabinet. Handguns were discovered on top of the refrigerator near the methamphetamine and in an armrest of the living room recliner. While searching the residence on Sylvan Avenue, investigators discovered bulk amounts of fentanyl and a loaded handgun in the primary bedroom. Lawson was charged by criminal complaint in October 2022 and indicted by a grand jury in December 2022. He pleaded guilty to three federal drug counts in March 2023. This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; and other members of the FBI’s Southern Ohio Safe Streets Task Force announced the sentence imposed by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Walter H. Rice. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders is representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: 6 men convicted of conspiring to traffic guns

body_text: COLUMBUS, Ohio – The final of six conspirators responsible for trafficking more than 100 firearms pleaded guilty in federal court here today. Jadden I. Bedell, 21, of Cleveland, admitted to his role in the conspiracy involving 114 guns. According to court documents, between January and May 2022, the defendants illegally dealt in firearms without a federal firearms license. Many of the firearms were resold in Cleveland and Rochester, New York, and have been recovered in connection with other crimes and shootings. Two defendants – Brian R. Cunningham, 43, of Marysville, Ohio, and Tyson Rathburn, 47, of Ashville, Ohio – purchased the guns at licensed firearms dealers in the Southern District of Ohio, including at Frazier Firearms LLC, George Washinguns LLC and Rural King. The pair sometimes used straw purchasers to obtain guns. The defendants then listed the firearms for sale online at marked-up prices. The four other co-conspirators completed a series of trips from Cleveland to Columbus to purchase the firearms from Cunningham and Rathburn. Two of those customer co-defendants, Charles L. Jackson, 28, of Rochester, New York, and Anthony D. Redmond, 59, of Cleveland, were prohibited from possessing firearms because they had previously been convicted of or are currently under indictment for felony crimes. Beddell, Jackson, Redmon and Martino D. Lorenzi, 35, of Cleveland, met with Cunningham and Rathburn multiple times at gas stations and stores in the Southern District of Ohio to purchase handguns. For example, on March 19, 2022, Beddell and Jackson met Rathburn near a gas station in Marengo, Ohio, to buy 42 firearms for $14,000 total. In May 2022, Beddell, Jackson and Lorenzi purchased 16 firearms from an undercover ATF agent. Each of the six defendants has pleaded guilty to conspiring to deal in the business of firearms without a license, which is a federal crime punishable by up to five years in prison. Jackson has been sentenced to 51 months in prison, and his five co-defendants await sentencing. Congress sets the maximum statutory sentence. Sentencing is determined by the Court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; and Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); announced the guilty plea offered today. Assistant United States Attorneys Noah R. Litton and S. Courter Shimeall are representing the United States in this case. # # #


title: Former Blair Assistant Principal Sentenced for Child Pornography

component: USAO - Nebraska

body_text: United States Attorney Steven Russell announced the Daniel Hutsell, 42, of Blair, Nebraska, was sentenced on June 28, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for distribution of child pornography. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Hutsell to 60 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Hutsell with begin a five-year term of supervised release. Hutsell will be required to register as a sex offender. On or about September 13, 2021, Stelivo, LLC, a business that runs several real-time chat websites, including freechatnow.com, identified one image of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct that was distributed through its server. Through a cybertip, Stelivo reported that a user with a freechatnow.com username, G|teachrr, sent the image to other freechatnow.com users. The image showed an 8- to 10-year-old female child exposing her genitalia in a sexually explicit manner. Stelivo captured the IP address of the user account that was used to distribute the image. Law enforcement obtained information related to the IP address, which ultimately identified Hutsell as the subscriber and that he resided in Nebraska. Stelivo identified additional uploads of images from the same username and IP address using freechatnow.com, which included approximately 10 images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. On November 30, 2021, law enforcement executed a search of Hutsell’s residence in Blair. At the time of the search warrant, Hutsell, an assistant principal with Blair Community Schools, admitted to law enforcement that he used a computer and freechatnow.com to trade pornography. Hutsell admitted he had seen the previously mentioned image of the 8- to 10-year-old female child exposing her genitalia in a sexually explicit manner. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc . This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol.


title: Mexican Man Sentenced for Drug and Firearm Conspiracy

body_text: United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Jose Rumualdo-Gallardo, 31, of Mexico, was sentenced on June 26, 2023, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for his involvement in a methamphetamine conspiracy and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of the drug conspiracy. United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Rumualdo-Gallardo to 120 months’ imprisonment for the drug conspiracy and 60 months’ imprisonment for the firearm offense. The sentences are to run consecutive. Rumualdo-Gallardo also forfeited $2,527 in drug proceeds. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Rumualdo-Gallardo will begin a five-year term of supervised release. In February 2022, the Omaha Police Department arrested Michael Lee in possession of 44 grams of pure methamphetamine. Investigators were able to determine that the methamphetamine was obtained from Rumualdo-Gallardo. Investigators utilized a cooperating source and purchased 49 grams of pure methamphetamine on both February 22, 2022, and March 1, 2022. On March 8, 2022, a search warrant was executed on Rumualdo-Gallardo’s residence which resulted in the seizure of an additional 242 grams of methamphetamine, a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun, and $2,527. Michael Lee is set for sentencing on September 6, 2023. This case was investigated primarily by the Omaha Police Department.


title: Lincoln Man Sentenced for Possessing with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

body_text: United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Andrew Scott Lawrence, 42, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced on June 27, 2023, in federal court in Lincoln for possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard sentenced Lawrence to 15 years in prison. There is no parole in the federal system. After his release from prison, Lawrence will begin a 10-year term of supervised release. On March 18, 2022, officers of the Lincoln Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force served a search warrant at Lawrence’s Lincoln residence. Lawrence was in a bathroom actively trying to dispose of methamphetamine down a shower drain and flush additional amounts down a toilet. Approximately 135 grams of methamphetamine were retrieved from the bathroom. Officers also found 434 grams of methamphetamine and $17,622 in a bedroom. As part of his guilty plea, Lawrence agreed the currency was proceeds from illegal drug sales or used to facilitate drug trafficking. The money has been forfeited. This case was investigated by the Lincoln Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force


title: Texas Man Sentenced for Conspiracy to Distribute Drugs

body_text: United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Jose Saul Delira, 49, of McAllen, Texas, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge John M. Gerrard to 17 years’ imprisonment for his involvement in a conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine mixture, 50 grams or more of actual (pure) methamphetamine, and unspecified amounts of cocaine and marijuana, with a prior serious drug felony conviction. Following his release from prison, Delira will serve 10 years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Information provided to law enforcement indicated between August of 2020 and February of 2021, Delira was a member of a conspiracy to obtain methamphetamine and other drugs in Mexico, Texas, and Arizona, for transport to the Lincoln, Nebraska, area for resale. Delira introduced Lincoln residents to drug sources in Mexico and assisted with efforts to transport drugs from source locations to Lincoln. In November of 2020, Delira was staying in Lincoln at the residence of another person involved in the drug trafficking organization. A search warrant was executed at that residence. During the search, investigators found more than 1/3 of a pound of methamphetamine, approximately one ounce of cocaine, four pounds of marijuana, assorted pills, firearms, and drug packaging materials. Delira had a prior conviction for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine in the District of Nebraska. He was sentenced to 188 months in prison in that case in April of 2005. Delira’s co-defendant, Richard Garza, is scheduled for trial in August of 2023. This case was investigated by the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force.


title: Detroit Man Sentenced to Prison for Fentanyl Trafficking  on the Red Lake Reservation

component: USAO - Minnesota

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – A Detroit man has been sentenced to five years in prison followed by four years of supervised release for his role in a fentanyl trafficking operation targeting the Red Lake Reservation, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to court documents, in March 2021, Scot Lamonte Watkins, Jr., 34, conspired with others to distribute fentanyl pills, methamphetamine, and cocaine to individuals from the Red Lake Reservation. Watkins, along with co-defendants Douglas Edward McClendon, 32, and Christopher Douglas Richard, 41, obtained fentanyl and other drugs from suppliers in Detroit and then traveled to Bemidji, Minnesota, to sell the drugs. In a text message between the co-defendants, Watkins was told, “Oh yeah we do got something for ya cum down in get yo dope and sell it playa.” According to court documents, the defendants conducted their drug distribution operation out of various Bemidji-area hotels. On March 12, 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a hotel where the defendants were selling drugs. As a result of the search, law enforcement agents recovered more than 174 grams of fentanyl, 37 grams of methamphetamine, and other controlled substances. As law enforcement entered the hotel room, Watkins and McClendon fled while Richard flushed a significant amount of fentanyl down the toilet. On March 13, 2023, Watkins plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and other controlled substances. Watkins was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Nancy E. Brasel. Restitution was also ordered as part of Watkins’ sentence. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Paul Bunyan Drug Task Force, the FBI Headwaters Safe Trails Task Force, the Red Lake Tribal Police Department, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura M. Provinzino.


title: Minneapolis Felon Pleads Guilty to Two Violent Carjackings

body_text: MINNEAPOLIS – A Minneapolis felon has pleaded guilty to two counts of carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm during and relation to a crime of violence, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger. According to the defendant’s plea agreement and court documents, on January 30, 2023, in Little Canada, a Ramsey County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a Ford truck, which was later revealed to be stolen. The driver, Donovan Alan Goodman, 33, fled the deputy, driving in the wrong lanes of traffic, above posted speed limits, and evading stop sticks. Law enforcement officers ultimately disabled the vehicle. Goodman fled the vehicle and jumped over a barrier separating the east and west lanes on Interstate 694. He approached an uninvolved vehicle, which had stopped in the westbound lanes of Interstate 694, pointed a firearm at the vehicle and yelled, “Get the [expletive] out of the car.” Goodman then fled in the vehicle. The carjacked vehicle―which was subsequently recovered―had an installed dash camera that captured the entire incident. On February 25, 2023, at approximately 4:23 a.m., officers with the Minneapolis Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop of a stolen vehicle parked in a parking lot. Goodman and another male, who were standing near the vehicle, immediately fled on foot and officers pursued. One officer deployed a taser to subdue Goodman, who initially fell to the ground, rolled over and then pointed a handgun with a red laser sight in the direction of the officer. The officer immediately took cover and Goodman escaped on foot. Shortly thereafter, a carjacking victim flagged down responding law enforcement officers. He reported that he was an Uber driver who had just picked up two passengers in downtown Minneapolis when a man—later identified as Goodman—approached the vehicle and offered the occupants $100 to let him join the Uber ride. One of the occupants agreed and opened the door. Once inside the vehicle, Goodman pulled out the firearm with a red laser, pointed it at the back of the driver’s head, and ordered everyone out of the vehicle. The driver and the two occupants complied, and Goodman fled in the vehicle. Later that day, after obtaining a search warrant for Goodman’s cell phone, law enforcement tracked Goodman to a residence in St. Paul. The St. Paul Police Department’s SWAT team executed a search warrant at the residence and, after law enforcement provided numerous loud commands for over an hour, Goodman exited the residence and was taken into custody. Goodman pleaded guilty today, in U.S. District Court before Senior Judge Ann D. Montgomery to two counts of carjacking and one count of brandishing a firearm during and relation to a crime of violence. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled. This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Minneapolis Police Department, the St. Paul Police Department, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan L. Sing is prosecuting the case.


title: Justice Department Launches Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Regional Outreach Program

component: USAO - Washington, Eastern

body_text: Program will place 10 new personnel in Five Regions WASHINGTON – United States Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref announced today that the Justice Department will be creating a Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, which permanently places 10 attorneys and coordinators in five designated regions across the United States to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people. The Eastern District of Washington was one of the districts selected for a dedicated attorney, who will assist in this important role. “This new program mobilizes the Justice Department’s resources to combat the crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons, which has shattered the lives of victims, their families, and entire Tribal communities.” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department will continue to accelerate our efforts, in partnership with Tribes, to keep their communities safe and pursue justice for American Indian and Alaska Native families.” “These new positions represent the Justice Department’s continuing commitment to addressing the MMIP crisis with urgency and all of the tools at our disposal,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco. “MMIP prosecutors and coordinators will work with partners across jurisdictions and alongside the Tribal communities who have been most devastated by this epidemic.” U.S. Attorney Waldref stated, “The Tribal nations in the Eastern District of Washington frequently experience violent crime and domestic violence at rates that are higher than many other communities. As a result, parents, families, and even entire communities are mourning the loss of loved ones. The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to working closely with Tribal, federal, and state partners to combat the root causes of this crisis and holding those who perpetrate these crimes accountable.” The MMIP regional program prioritizes MMIP cases consistent with the Deputy Attorney General’s July 2022 directive to United States Attorneys’ offices promoting public safety in Indian country. The program fulfills the Justice Department’s promise to dedicate new personnel to MMIP consistent with Executive Order 14053, Improving Public Safety and Criminal Justice for Native Americans and Addressing the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People , and the Department’s Federal Law Enforcement Strategy to Prevent and respond to Violence Against American Indians and Alaska Natives, Including to Address Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons issued in July 2022. The program will dedicate five MMIP Assistant U.S. Attorneys and five MMIP coordinators to provide specialized support to United States Attorneys’ offices to address and combat the issues of MMIP. This support includes assisting in the investigation of unresolved MMIP cases and related crimes, and promoting communication, coordination, and collaboration among federal, Tribal, local, and state law enforcement and non-governmental partners on MMIP issues. The five regions include the Northwest, Southwest, Great Plains, Great Lakes, and Southeast Regions, and MMIP personnel will be located within host United States Attorneys’ offices in the Districts of Alaska, Arizona, Eastern Washington, Minnesota, New Mexico, Northern Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, and Western Michigan. Programmatic support will be provided by the MMIP Regional Outreach Program Coordinator at the Executive Office for United States Attorneys. “DOJ’s selection of the Eastern District of Washington for a dedicated attorney position demonstrates our District’s commitment to being a leader in addressing the MMIP crisis,” U.S. Attorney Waldref added. “Our office has a significant history of prosecuting homicide cases arising from violent crime on the Yakama Nation, as well as the Colville, Spokane, and Kalispel Reservations. These cases range from violent shootings to cold case murders. I am grateful for the tremendous work of the law enforcement agents and the prosecutors, who work tirelessly to bring justice to the victims of these terrible crimes.” “The Executive Office for United States Attorneys and the United States Attorney community are committed to preventing and responding to cases of missing or murdered Indigenous people. To that end, we will work together with all relevant federal, Tribal, state and local law enforcement partners to locate missing persons and solve crimes where they have occurred,” said Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) Director Monty Wilkinson. “This new program will allow the Department to build upon the work done by individual United States Attorneys’ offices and ensure continued support to those offices by coordinating outreach regionally on MMIP matters. More broadly, this MMIP Program will complement the work of the Justice Department’s National Native American Outreach Services Liaison, who is helping amplify the voice of crime victims in Indian country and their families as they navigate the federal criminal justice system. Further, the MMIP Program will liaise with and enhance the work of the Department’s Tribal Liaisons and Indian Country Assistant United States Attorneys throughout Indian Country, the Native American Issues Coordinator, and the National Indian Country Training Initiative Coordinator to ensure a comprehensive response to MMIP.


title: Okmulgee Resident Sentenced For Assault And Firearms Crimes

component: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Lakota John Trumon Watson, age 23, of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, was sentenced for his role in a violent armed assault. The federal district court sentenced Watson to 6 months imprisonment for one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to do Bodily Harm in Indian Country, and 120 months imprisonment for one count of Use, Carry, Brandish, and Discharge of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence. The sentences are ordered to run consecutively for a total of 126 months. The charges arose from investigations by the Henryetta Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. On January 20, 2022, Watson entered a guilty plea to both counts. On September 4, 2017, during an argument outside of a Henryetta residence, Watson pulled out a .22 Magnum revolver and shot the victim in the stomach. Multiple witnesses identified Watson as the shooter. The crimes occurred in within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The Honorable John F. Heil, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearings in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Watson will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve his non-paroleable sentence. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin D. Traster represented the United States at the sentencing hearing.


title: Wetumka Resident Sentenced For Firearms Offenses

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

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Carl Lloyd True, age 56, of Wetumka, Oklahoma, was sentenced on June 16, 2023, for firearm offenses. True was sentenced to sixteen months in prison for one count of Making a False Statement During the Acquisition of a Firearm and sixteen months for one count of being a Prohibited Person Receiving and Possessing Firearms and Ammunition. The sentences will run concurrently. The charges arose from investigations by the Hughes County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. On February 21, 2023, True pleaded guilty to False Statement During the Acquisition of a Firearm and Prohibited Person Receiving and Possessing Firearms and Ammunition. In June of 2022, True was charged in the District Court of Hughes County, Oklahoma, with felony Domestic Assault and Battery by Strangulation. Within days of being released on bond in that case, True provided false information on the ATF Firearm Transaction Record so he could illegally purchase two firearms despite being under information for the felony offense. 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 based on 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. “Investigating and prosecuting what we refer to as ‘lie and buy offenses’ is a priority of the Department of Justice,” said United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “In this case, the defendant could not obtain a firearm because he was charged in state court with a felony crime. He provided false information to the licensed gun dealer in order to obtain two firearms.” The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearings in Muskogee. True will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration. Assistant United States Attorney Edith A. Singer represented the United States.


title: Atoka Resident Sentenced For Killing Four Durant Teens In May 2020 Motor Vehicle Collision

body_text: MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Bradley Shawn Pittman, age 45, of Atoka, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 405 months in prison each for four counts of Second-Degree Murder in Indian Country. The sentences will be served concurrently. The charges arose from investigations by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Durant Police Department, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Texas Highway Patrol, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. On December 1, 2020, Pittman pleaded guilty to four counts of Murder in Indian Country – Second Degree. At the plea hearing, Pittman admitted that he was driving a pickup at speeds of over 70 miles per hour on Main Street in Durant when he collided into the rear of another vehicle that was stopped at a traffic light just before midnight on May 24, 2020. Four Durant teens in the other vehicle were killed in the collision. At the time of the collision, Pittman registered a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit, was driving on a suspended or revoked driver’s license, and had previously been convicted of driving under the influence on three separate occasions. The crimes occurred in Bryan County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation and within the Eastern District of Oklahoma. “Every parent’s worst fear is having your child taken from you in the blink of an eye. Four teenagers were stolen from their families with one reckless decision that has had a devastating and rippling impact on the Durant community,” said FBI Oklahoma City Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Gray. “Let this sentence serve as a reminder of the grave and irrevocable consequences of driving under the influence, so that no other family will have to endure such tremendous loss.” “No sentence can heal the loss to these families and this community,” said U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Wilson. “The devastation brought about by one individual’s reckless actions underscores our determination to hold those accountable who engage in criminally reckless actions within the Eastern District of Oklahoma.” The Honorable John F. Heil, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearings in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin D. Traster represented the United States.


title: FORMER CAPE AIR EMPLOYEE PLEADS GUILTY TO POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE COCAINE

body_text: St. Thomas, VI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Shakari Francis, 27, of St. Thomas, pleaded guilty before Chief District Court Judge Robert A. Molloy to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Francis faces a maximum sentence of 40 years imprisonment, not less than three years of supervised release and a maximum fine of $1,000,000.00. According to court documents, Francis worked at Cape Air as a ramp agent at the Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas. On January 11, 2023, Francis entered the airport using his secured access with two bricks of cocaine. Francis later met Ahkoy Smith, a ticketed passenger on Spirit Airline’s flight to Fort Lauderdale, FL, in the restrooms located next to the concession area where Francis delivered the two bricks of cocaine to Smith. Federal agents arrested Francis and attempted to arrest Smith as he boarded his flight. When approached by the agents, Smith removed his backpack and threw it to the tarmac and ran onto the active runway. He was apprehended by federal agents and placed under arrest and charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Smith entered a plea agreement with the United States to change his plea from not guilty to guilty. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Everard E. Potter. This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.


title: BVI MAN SENTENCED TO EIGHT MONTHS FOR FAILING TO STOP HIS VESSEL BEING USED FOR HUMAN SMUGGLING

component: USAO - Virgin Islands

body_text: St. Thomas, USVI – United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced today that Buney Chinnery, 22, of Tortola, BVI, was sentenced by Chief District Judge Robert Molloy to eight months incarceration on his conviction for failure to heave to law enforcement and giving a false statement. According to the evidence presented at trial, on October 31, 2022, at approximately 9:00 p.m., Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine agents were conducting border security patrol between the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. Agents approached Coral Bay, St. John, and observed Chinnerys’ vessel operating without navigation lights. Despite continued warnings and attempts to stop the vessel, Chinnery refused to stop and accelerate his vessel while operating the it in an evasive manner. Agents eventually disabled the vessel and later discovered Chinnery along with six individuals attempting to gain illegal entry into the United States. This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Natasha L. Baker.


title: Repeat Offender Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison

body_text: HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – A federal judge today sentenced a convicted felon on drug and gun charges, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona, U.S. Postal Inspection Service Inspector-in-Charge Scott D. Fix, Houston Division and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Marcus Watson. U.S. District Court Judge Liles C. Burke sentenced Rayford Raymond Russell aka “Pete”, 74, of Rainsville, to 168 months in prison. In February, Russell pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, attempt to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, use of a phone to facilitate a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Russell was on federal supervised release when he committed these crimes. "Removing drivers of violent crime from our communities remains a high priority for our office and our law enforcement partners," U.S. Escalona said. "I am grateful for the hard work and cooperation that brought this repeat offender to justice." “The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is committed to ensuring the U.S. Mails are not used as a tool to distribute narcotics to our communities,” said Scott Fix, U.S. Postal Inspector in Charge of the Houston Division. “The sentence handed down today should serve as a reminder to other perpetrators engaged in this type of criminal behavior that we will work closely with our law enforcement partners to bring them to justice. We extend our appreciation to ALEA, ATF, DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, and Huntsville Police Department for their assistance with this investigation.” “The ATF worked collaboratively and tirelessly with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to disrupt the illegal possession of firearms, distribution of narcotics, and other criminal acts that were committed,” ATF SAC Watson said. “The ATF will remain in lockstep with our local, state, and federal partners in our continuing effort to combat violent crime, maintain public safety, and remove criminals who continuously show total disregard for the law.” According to the plea agreement, during the week of August 10, 2022, law enforcement investigated a series of suspicious packages being mailed to a residence in Flat Rock, Alabama. The package was intercepted by the U.S. Postal Service and contained approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine. On August 12, 2022, a controlled delivery of the package was made to the intended residence owned by Cindy Franklin. Franklin was receiving packages for “Pete” and was compensated with money and marijuana for the packages she received. Between April 2021 and August 2022, approximately 350 pounds of methamphetamine and marijuana were mailed to Russell’s and Franklin’s residences. On August 12, 2022, Russell moved his firearms and ammunition to a residence in Dutton, Alabama. A search warrant was obtained for the residence. Law enforcement officers seized multiple firearms loaded with approximately 1,000 rounds of ammunition and other ammunition belonging to Russell. On May 23, 2023, U.S. District Court Judge Liles C. Burke sentenced Cindy Land Franklin, 64, of Flat Rock, to 36 months in prison for use of a communication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking crime. Franklin pleaded guilty to the charge in February 2023. In June 2010, Russell pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama to being a felon in possession of a firearm, conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, distribution, and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and money laundering. In March 2011, Russell was sentenced to nine years in prison. The USPIS and ATF investigated the case along with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Huntsville Police Department and DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell E. Penfield prosecuted the case.


title: Federal Agreement Requires Nationwide Service Improvements at CVS MinuteClinics for Patients Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

component: USAO - Rhode Island

body_text: PROVIDENCE –MinuteClinic, LLC (“MinuteClinic”), a retail health care provider operating inside CVS pharmacy locations nationwide, has entered into a settlement agreement with the United States, requiring it to change its policies and procedures to provide effective communication to individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing at all of its over 11,000 locations, announced Zachary A. Cunha, United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island. This agreement follows an investigation begun after the Rhode Island U.S. Attorney’s Office received a complaint from a deaf individual who alleged that MinuteClinic failed to provide her with requested American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation for her medical appointments at a MinuteClinic. The investigation revealed that MinuteClinic had, in fact, failed to provide her with requested ASL interpretation, and that as a result, she was not able to effectively communicate with MinuteClinic health personnel during her medical appointments. Additionally, the investigation revealed that, while CVS MinuteClinic’s website directed hearing-impaired patients to contact a patient support line to obtain an ASL interpreter for visits to a MinuteClinic, on at least six other occasions, when individuals called that number to request an ASL interpreter for upcoming medical appointments, the MinuteClinic representatives who answered the phone did not assist them with scheduling an interpreter. “Interactions with health care providers as we make crucial decisions about treatment and care are among the most personal interactions we have in life,” said U.S. Attorney Cunha. “And the most basic part of that interaction is being able to communicate effectively with your health care provider. Providers have an obligation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to eliminate obstacles to access for those with disabilities, and I am pleased that, with today’s agreement, MinuteClinic is taking appropriate steps to ensure that those barriers are eliminated for users of CVS stores across the country.” Under the settlement agreement, MinuteClinic will revise its policies and procedures for requesting, providing and tracking requests for qualified interpreters at all of its MinuteClinic locations, train staff on those policies, and post notices at its locations and website, informing patients of the means and methods by which to request auxiliary aids and services, free of charge. MinuteClinic will also pay $5,000 to the complainant. The matter was litigated by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy R. Romero. The Department of Justice has a number of publications available to assist entities in complying with the ADA. For more information on the ADA and to access these publications, visit www.ada.gov or call the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD). Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that a place of public accommodation or public entity in Rhode Island is not accessible to persons with disabilities may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (401) 709-5000 or by email at USARI.CivilRightsComplaint@.gov . ### cvs_minuteclinic_ada_agreement.pdf


title: Substance Use Recovery Center Agrees to Pay $300,000 to Resolve Alleged False Claims Act Violations

component: USAO - Kentucky, Eastern

body_text: LEXINGTON, Ky. — Recovery Services, LLC, a recovery center that provides outpatient alcohol and drug services in Louisville, Kentucky, agreed to pay $300,000 to resolve civil allegations that it violated the False Claims Act, a federal law that prohibits causing the submission of false or fraudulent claims to the federal government. According to the settlement agreement, the United States alleged that Recovery Services, formerly known as Recovery Chestnut, billed Kentucky Medicaid for urine drug screens for patients who did not receive individualized medical assessments. Kentucky Medicaid only pays for urine drug screens that are individualized to each patient for their medical diagnosis or treatment. The United States also alleged that Recovery Services billed Kentucky Medicaid for urine drug screens for residential patients, despite only being licensed to provide outpatient services. Kentucky Medicaid does not pay for residential services, including urine drug screens, performed by outpatient providers. The United States encourages anyone with information about the improper billing of urine drug testing, or about other potential fraud, abuse, or mismanagement of Medicare or Medicaid funds, to please call the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ hotline at 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). The case against Recovery Services was investigated by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General; and the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control. Assistant United States Attorney Meghan Stubblebine represented the United States. The settlement resolves claims alleged by the United States; there has been no determination of liability. -END-


title: Ravenna CPA Sentenced for Embezzling More Than $1 Million from Employer and Submitting False Tax Returns

component: USAO - Ohio, Northern

body_text: CLEVELAND – Michael Harman, 46, of Ravenna, Ohio, was sentenced yesterday to 43 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver, Jr. after Harman pleaded guilty to a six-count information that charged him with wire fraud, making and subscribing false tax returns, and money laundering. Harman was also ordered to pay restitution of $1,081,875.10 to the victim, Geis Company, and $227,638 to the IRS. According to court documents, Harman was a Certified Public Accountant and was employed as a controller with his employer. As a controller, some of Harman’s responsibilities included processing payroll adjustments. From 2016 to August 2020, Harman devised a scheme to embezzle more than $1 million from his employer and used the funds for personal use, including child support payments in the State of New York and moving expenses. Harman executed the scheme by using a series of unauthorized wire transfers, fictitious checks, and fraudulent charges on his employer’s credit cards. In addition, Harman failed to report income earned from the scheme on his tax returns for the tax years 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. This case was investigated by the Cleveland FBI, Akron Resident Agency and IRS Criminal Investigation (CI). This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brian M. McDonough and Aaron P. Howell.


title: U.S. Attorney warns about rise in online impersonators exploiting children

body_text: CINCINNATI – Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, announced today that his office and law enforcement agencies are seeing an increase in cases involving impostors posing as others, especially as children or teens on social media and online gaming platforms, persuading victims to provide sexual or intimate personal information, and using that information to threaten or intimidate their victims. Parker urged parents and caregivers to take steps to help young people identify the impostors and avoid becoming victims. “Social media has opened up a whole new realm of child exploitation opportunities,” Parker said. “An online predator can easily amass victims across the United States by pretending to be someone they aren’t. Offenders will tell fictitious stories and create personas to manipulate and coerce victims.” Parker offered the following guidance to parents and child caregivers: Know what devices your child is using and their passcodes to access the devices; Become familiar with the online games and the social media your child uses, and the privacy settings in the games and apps; Set limits on the time your child spends online; Talk with your child about the dangers of sharing personal information or images online and how those images can damage their mental health and reputation; and Watch for sudden changes in a child’s behavior such as isolation, missing school, losing interest in friends, becoming obsessive about their phone, and being angry or upset after they’ve been online. Parker also emphasized that parents need to maintain open lines of communication with their children letting their child know that the parent will be monitoring the child’s online activity to protect their child. “Assure your child that they can come to you and talk judgment-free about their online activity, who they’ve met, and what they discuss,” Parker said. Parker cited recent cases of a 28-year-old high school coach accused of impersonating a 15-year-old girl and persuading his victims to send sexually explicit photos which he distributed over the internet, and a convicted sexual offender who allegedly worked with his girlfriend claiming that the only way he could get life-saving surgery for his mother was to sell sexually explicit images and videos of minor victims. Defendants in all criminal cases should be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. Parker said these two cases, like many child exploitation cases, started with caregivers or other adults notifying local law enforcement of their concerns. He urges any parents who suspect their children could be victims of online exploitation to contact their local law enforcement agency. Many local agencies participate in Internet Crimes Against Children task forces that unite federal, state, and local law enforcement resources to investigate and prosecute cases of child exploitation. To report online child sexual exploitation, use the electronic Cyber Tip Line or call 1-800-843-5678. The Cyber Tip Line is operated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in partnership with the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. # # #


title: Moriarty Man Sentenced for Scheme to Defraud the United States

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 Milton Boutte was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to pay $1,210,000 in restitution. A federal jury convicted Boutte, 77, of Moriarty, New Mexico, of conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to commit wire fraud on June 27, 2022. Beginning in 2004, Boutte, who was then the Director of the Big Crow Program Office at Kirtland Air Force Base, conspired with others to pay lobbyists, consultants and contractors with funds fraudulently obtained from the United States. Boutte conspired with George Lowe, a lobbyist, and Joe Diaz and Arturo Vargas, owners of Miratek and Vartek, two minority-owned small businesses that had sole-source contracts with the Big Crow Program Office. The conspirators disguised the nature of the claims for lobbying services provided by Lowe as well as other unauthorized subcontracts and expenditures. The Big Crow Program Office was not authorized to lobby or to expend appropriated funds for lobbying activities under the contracts. Over the course of the conspiracy, Miratek and Vartek received approximately $8.4 million from the government. Of that amount, Boutte required those small businesses to pay nearly $4.1 million to lobbyists, consultants and contractors that Boutte had retained. Of that sum, Miratek and Vartek diverted more than $900,000 to Lowe, and another government contractor paid Lowe an additional $300,000. Boutte and his co-conspirators were charged in a 46-count indictment on Nov. 28, 2017, with conspiracy to defraud the United States with respect to claims, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, fraud against the United States, and false, fictitious or fraudulent claims. Lowe, Diaz, and Vargas each pleaded guilty previously. The four conspirators were ordered to pay more than $1.2 million in restitution, with Vargas to contribute up to $398,027, Diaz to contribute up to $910,000, and Lowe and Boutte liable for the full amount. “The United States Attorney's Office is committed to protecting the integrity of our federal agencies and your tax dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez. “I want to thank the dedicated investigators and prosecutors who worked on this case. Their hard work and dedication led to these convictions and sentences." “The sentencing should serve as a stark reminder that our agents, and those of our partner law enforcement agencies, are relentless in their pursuit of those who choose to defraud the government,” said Special Agent-in-Charge L. Scott Moreland, of the Department of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Major Procurement Fraud Field Office. The case was investigated by the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division Major Procurement Fraud Field Office, Defense Criminal Investigations Services, Defense Contract Audit Agency – Investigative Support, U.S. Small Business Administration Office – Office of Inspector General, and General Services Administration – Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy S. Vasquez and Jeremy Peña are prosecuting the case. # # # 23-134


body_text: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced today that Milton Boutte was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to pay $1,210,000 in restitution. A federal jury convicted Boutte, 77, of Moriarty, New Mexico, of conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to commit wire fraud on June 27, 2022. Beginning in 2004, Boutte, who was then the Director of the Big Crow Program Office at Kirtland Air Force Base, conspired with others to pay lobbyists, consultants and contractors with funds fraudulently obtained from the United States. Boutte conspired with George Lowe, a lobbyist, and Joe Diaz and Arturo Vargas, owners of Miratek and Vartek, two minority-owned small businesses that had sole-source contracts with the Big Crow Program Office. The conspirators disguised the nature of the claims for lobbying services provided by Lowe as well as other unauthorized subcontracts and expenditures. The Big Crow Program Office was not authorized to lobby or to expend appropriated funds for lobbying activities under the contracts. Over the course of the conspiracy, Miratek and Vartek received approximately $8.4 million from the government. Of that amount, Boutte required those small businesses to pay nearly $4.1 million to lobbyists, consultants and contractors that Boutte had retained. Of that sum, Miratek and Vartek diverted more than $900,000 to Lowe, and another government contractor paid Lowe an additional $300,000. Boutte and his co-conspirators were charged in a 46-count indictment on Nov. 28, 2017, with conspiracy to defraud the United States with respect to claims, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, fraud against the United States, and false, fictitious or fraudulent claims. Lowe, Diaz, and Vargas each pleaded guilty previously. The four conspirators were ordered to pay more than $1.2 million in restitution, with Vargas to contribute up to $398,027, Diaz to contribute up to $910,000, and Lowe and Boutte liable for the full amount. “The United States Attorney's Office is committed to protecting the integrity of our federal agencies and your tax dollars,” said U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez. “I want to thank the dedicated investigators and prosecutors who worked on this case. Their hard work and dedication led to these convictions and sentences." “The sentencing should serve as a stark reminder that our agents, and those of our partner law enforcement agencies, are relentless in their pursuit of those who choose to defraud the government,” said Special Agent-in-Charge L. Scott Moreland, of the Department of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division’s Major Procurement Fraud Field Office. The case was investigated by the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division Major Procurement Fraud Field Office, Defense Criminal Investigations Services, Defense Contract Audit Agency – Investigative Support, U.S. Small Business Administration Office – Office of Inspector General, and General Services Administration – Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy S. Vasquez and Jeremy Peña are prosecuting the case. # # # 23-135


title: Mescalero Man Pleads Guilty to Assault on Federal Officer

body_text: ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced that Jeremy Daniel Dennis pled guilty to assault on a federal officer in Indian Country. Dennis, 43, of Mescalero, and an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. According to court documents, on Dec. 25, 2022, Dennis assaulted a BIA Officer conducting a welfare check on him by hitting and kicking the officer, wrestling the officer to the ground, and rubbing pepper spray in the officer’s face. The incident occurred in Otero County, New Mexico, within the bounds of the Mescalero Apache Reservation. At sentencing, Dennis faces up to 8 years in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release. The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant United States Attorney Eliot Neal is prosecuting the case. # # # 23-136


title: Mescalero Man Pleads Guilty to Assault

body_text: of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced that Dennett Jerome Chee pled guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury in Indian Country. Chee, 37, of Mescalero. and an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. A federal grand jury indicted Chee on Jan. 10. According to the indictment and other court records, in May of 2022, Chee assaulted a victim, identified as John Doe, in Otero County, New Mexico, on the Mescalero Apache reservation. The assault resulted in serious bodily injury to John Doe. At sentencing, Chee faces up to 10 years in prison. The FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Eliot Neal is prosecuting the case. # # # 23-137


title: Arizona Woman Pleads Guilty  To Violating the Federal  Controlled Substances Act

body_text: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – EMILY HUCKABEE , age 23, a resident of Yuma, Arizona, pled guilty on June 22, 2023 before United States District Judge Carl J. Barbier to a superseding bill of information charging her with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a quantity of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(C), and 846, announced U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans. According to court documents, on June 28, 2022, a Louisiana State Police Trooper stopped a 2015 Ford F-150 driven by HUCKABEE and traveling on I-59 in Pearl River, Louisiana, for traffic violations. A narcotics detection canine sniffed the vehicle and detected a narcotics odor. HUCKABEE admitted to the Troopers that there was a large amount of controlled substances in a bag on the rear seat of the vehicle. Troopers searched the vehicle and discovered 10.58 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine wrapped in twenty-seven vacuum sealed packages. HUCKABEE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty (20) years, a fine of up to $1,000,000.00, a term of supervised release of at least three (3) years, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.00. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Louisiana State Police. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney André Jones of the Narcotics Unit.


title: Ulster County Felon Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Firearm Possession

component: USAO - New York, Northern

body_text: ALBANY, NEW YORK – Bram Fox, age 43, of Kerhonkson, New York, pled guilty today to unlawfully possessing a rifle as a previously convicted felon. Fox also admitted to manufacturing and possessing several dozen firearms, which law enforcement seized from his Ulster County house earlier this year. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman and John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement. Fox admitted that from about October 2020 until January 2023, he purchased firearms parts from numerous online retailers; had these items shipped to his residence in Kerhonkson; and then used these firearms parts to manufacture non-serialized handguns and rifles, which are sometimes called “ghost guns” due to the fact that this type of firearm does not contain a serial number imprinted by a manufacturer. Fox also acquired several serialized firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition, including an Aero Precision M5 rifle. Fox has felony convictions in New York and Connecticut, including a 2009 conviction for an armed bank robbery, that prevents him from lawfully possessing the rifle, and other firearms and ammunition. Fox has been in custody since his arrest on January 31, 2023. He faces up to 15 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 3 years of post-imprisonment supervised release, when United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino sentences him on October 26, 2023. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. Fox also agreed to abandon, to the ATF, all firearms, ammunition, firearms parts and related items that were seized from his residence and formerly in his possession, including more than 25 firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition. The ATF and New York State Police investigated this case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett is prosecuting this case.


title: Harrisburg Man And Woman Charged With Conspiring To Steal Cell Phone Shipments

component: USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle

body_text: HARRISBURG – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Parmod Kumar, age 40, and Reecha Saini, age 36, both of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, were charged yesterday in an information with conspiring to steal interstate shipments of cell phones. According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the information alleges that from 2018 to 2021, Kumar and Saini enlisted at least one employee at a UPS facility in Harrisburg to steal packages that they believed contained smartphones. Kumar and Saini then paid the employee for the phones and arranged for their sale at a convenience store in Harrisburg. The conspiracy involved the theft of phones with a total value of over $142,000. The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Swatara Township Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlo D. Marchioli is prosecuting the case. The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 5 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Indictments and Criminal Informations are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court. # # #


title: Turkish National Charged With Attack On Turkish Consulate In Manhattan

component: USAO - New York, Southern

body_text: Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Carlos F. Matus, the Director of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (“DSS”), and Keechant L. Sewell, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced that a Complaint was unsealed today alleging that RECEP AKBIYIK used a metal bar to shatter the glass of 10 windows and two doors of the building housing the Turkish Consulate General in New York, New York (the “Turkish Consulate”). When two of the Turkish Consulate’s security officers emerged from the building to investigate, AKBIYIK allegedly charged at the security officers with the metal bar and, as the security officers retreated into the building, repeatedly struck the building’s doors with the metal bar. AKBIYIK was arrested this morning and will be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged, Recep Akbiyik brazenly attacked the Turkish Consulate building, causing serious damage to its windows and doors. Even worse, Akbiyik allegedly endangered two of the Turkish Consulate’s security officers, nearly beating them with a metal bar. As these charges make clear, people who attack diplomatic facilities or their employees within the United States will be held accountable for their actions.” DSS Director Carlos F. Matus said: “The Diplomatic Security Service is firmly committed to working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our other law enforcement partners to investigate allegations of crime related to diplomatic facilities and personnel within the United States, and to bring those who commit these crimes to justice. This was a great success by all of the agencies involved.” According to the allegations in the Complaint: [1] On May 22, 2023, at 3:15 a.m., AKBIYIK used a blue metal bar to shatter approximately 10 of the Turkish Consulate’s windows. Below are photographs reflecting the damage done to the windows: As AKBIYIK shattered the Turkish Consulate’s windows, two security officers who had been in the Turkish Consulate’s lobby stepped outside of the building. AKBIYIK sprinted toward the security officers with the blue metal bar raised as if to strike them. Below are stills from surveillance video showing AKBIYIK running toward the security officers: As the Security Officers retreated into the Turkish Consulate, pulling its doors closed, AKBIYIK repeatedly struck the Turkish Consulate’s doors with the blue metal bar, breaking the doors’ glass panes. Below is a photograph reflecting the damage done to the Turkish Consulate’s doors: AKBIYIK fled, leaving behind a blue bag containing eight bricks and the blue metal bar, photographs of which are below: In a post-arrest interview with NYPD officers, AKBIYIK admitted to the attack on the Turkish Consulate and stated that he had been planning the attack for weeks. * * * AKBIYIK, 29, of Brooklyn, New York, is charged with damaging property occupied by a foreign government, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. The maximum potential sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge. Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of DSS and the NYPD and thanked the U.S. Marshals Service and the New York County District Attorney’s Office for their assistance. This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin M. Burkett is in charge of the prosecution. The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation. U.S. v. Akbiyik Complaint


title: All Hands On Deck CEO Convicted Of Bank Fraud, Wire Fraud, Witness Tampering, And Other Offenses

component: USAO - California, Northern

body_text: OAKLAND – Attila Colar, aka Dahood Sariff Bey, aka Sharieff Dahood Bey, aka Saharieff Pasha, aka Georgi Petrakov, was convicted of forty-four counts that included conspiracy, bank fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, false statements to a bank, destruction of property to prevent a search, possession of a firearm as a felon, making a false tax return, obstruction, and witness tampering, by a federal jury on June 23, 2023. The guilty verdicts followed a three-week jury trial before the Honorable Haywood S. Gilliam, Jr., U.S. District Judge. Colar, 51, of Richmond, Calif., is the former Chief Executive Officer of All Hands on Deck in Richmond, Calif., a residential reentry home for probationers, parolees, homeless persons, and persons with mild mental illness. In finding him guilty of the sundry crimes, the jury concluded Colar carried out multiple schemes to defraud, including defrauding organizations that placed residents at his company’s transitional housing facilities and defrauding several lenders that were participating in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The jury also found that Colar attempted to destroy evidence, obstructed the FBI’s and grand jury’s investigations into his crimes, and tampered with a witness by attempting to conceal a witness while law enforcement was taking steps to execute a material witness order. “The evidence in this case demonstrates that during his various fraud schemes, Colar trafficked in multiple people’s identities.” U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey said. “He targeted some of the most marginalized and dispossessed persons in our community. Their badly needed cash went into the defendant’s pocket. In the end, the defendant manipulated the very people who came to him for help.” “Colar attempted to defraud the Paycheck Protection Program of $34 million intended to help honest businesses in need during the pandemic,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Robert Tripp. “Today's verdict should serve as a warning to fraudsters like Colar that the FBI and our government partners will continue to pursue those who have exploited government programs for personal gain and stolen from American taxpayers.” “The brazen fraud scheme committed in this case simply for personal gain harmed legitimate businesses in need. This conviction sends a clear message that those who defraud the federal government of pandemic relief funds will be held accountable and brought to justice for their actions,” said Jon Ellwanger, Special Agent in Charge, Western Region, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. “I commend our agents and their federal law enforcement partners for their hard work and persistence, which ultimately led to this conviction.” “Providing false information to fraudulently gain access to pandemic relief funds is a theft of taxpayer funds,” said U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Inspector General Western Region Acting Special Agent in Charge Keven Standley. “OIG will relentlessly pursue fraudsters and bring them to justice. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their dedication and commitment to seeing justice served.” “Mr. Colar abused the tax system by submitting fraudulent federal employment tax returns and W-2s to further a scheme he devised and orchestrated that aimed at defrauding the U.S. government of funds designed to help businesses that were impacted by the pandemic under the CARES Act,” said IRS-Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Darren Lian of the Oakland Field Office. “IRS-Criminal Investigation will continue to provide resources to help uncover and prosecute such egregious acts. I want to thank those on the trial team, including our federal law enforcement partners and U.S. Attorney’s Office for diligently working together to serve justice.” “The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration aggressively pursues those who endeavor to defraud taxpayer-funded Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act programs, which were established to provide assistance to American business owners during unprecedented times,” stated Inspector General J. Russell George. “I want to thank our law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their efforts to ensure individuals engaged in criminal activity are held to account.” Evidence at trial showed that starting in late 2018, Colar engaged in a scheme to defraud, among others, GEO Reentry, which provided treatment and supervision programs for adult probationers, parolees, and pretrial defendants in residential, in-custody, and non-residential reentry centers for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). Specifically, in or about 2019, Colar fraudulently induced GEO Reentry to refer parolees to All Hands on Deck using falsified fire inspection clearance reports, a false letter of recommendation, false security clearance documents, and false and misleading information about its staff. Additional evidence demonstrated that in April and June of 2020, Colar engaged in a second scheme to defraud lenders participating in the PPP lending plan authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans who were suffering from the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Pursuant to the CARES Act, the SBA managed the PPP lending plan. Trial evidence established Colar submitted multiple loan applications on behalf of All Hands on Deck to lenders that were false and misleading. For example, the applications substantially overstated the number and payroll of All Hands on Deck employees—while Colar’s loan applications stated All Hands on Deck had approximately 73 to 81 employees, the business had, in fact, perhaps other than himself, no salaried employees. Colar was also convicted of offenses related to the submission of multiple fraudulent loan applications in the name of other companies. The evidence demonstrated Colar hastily revived two dormant companies, and then submitted loan applications from the PPP lending plan for the bogus businesses. To carry out this scheme to defraud, Colar used, without legal authority, the names and identities of two persons living in his residential reentry facility. Colar falsely represented that the residents were “CEO”s of companies with hundreds of employees with million-dollar payrolls. In all, the evidence at trial showed that Colar submitted a total of 16 fraudulent loan applications to the PPP lending plan seeking approximately $34,655,437 in PPP loans. Colar also was convicted of obstruction and witness tampering relating to the investigations into his crimes. Colar has been found guilty of destroying documents during a search of his home, lying to the FBI about a firearm, falsifying records produced to the grand jury, interfering with the representation by counsel of a material witness by impersonating the witness’s Power of Attorney, coaching a witness to falsely state that the witness was the CEO of one of Colar’s bogus companies that submitted fraudulent loan applications, and concealing a witness in multiple hotels and other locations in the Bay Area to forestall or prevent the witness from providing testimony in the federal grand jury. In sum, Colar was convicted of forty-four (44) federal criminal offenses for his conduct. The convictions include the following: one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349; one count to commit conspiracy to commit bank fraud and wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349; two counts of bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1344; sixteen counts of wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343; eight counts of aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A; two counts of false statement to a bank, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1014; one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g); one count of destruction of property to prevent a search or seizure, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2232(a); one count of obstruction of justice, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(2); two counts of falsification of records in a federal investigation, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1519; six counts of making a false tax return, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7206; one count of conspiracy to tamper with a witness, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(k); one count of tampering with a witness, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(b)(1); and one count of tampering with a witness, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(b)(2). Colar is currently being held without bail pending his sentencing. Judge Gilliam scheduled Colar’s sentencing hearing for September 6, 2023. Colar faces the following maximum statutory penalties: Charge Maximum Statutory Penalty (per count) Conspiracy to commit wire fraud, in violation 18 U.S.C. § 1349 20 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine Conspiracy to commit brank fraud and wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349 30 years’ imprisonment and a $1,000,000 fine Bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1344 30 years’ imprisonment and a $1,000,000 fine Wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343 20 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine Aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1028A Mandatory 2 years’ imprisonment, consecutive to prison terms False statement to a bank, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1014 20 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine Possession of a firearm by a felon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) 10 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine Destruction of property to prevent a search or seizure, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2232(a) 5 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine Obstruction of justice, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(2) 20 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine Falsification of records in a federal investigation, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1519 20 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine Making a false tax return, in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 7206 3 years’ imprisonment and $100,000 fine Conspiracy to tamper with a witness, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(k) 20 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine Witness tampering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(b)(1) & (2) 20 years’ imprisonment and a $250,000 fine However, any sentence will be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Barbara J. Valliere, Adam A. Reeves, and Ross D. Mazer are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Laurie Worthen and Legal Assistant Kathy Tat. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI, IRS-Criminal Investigation, Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Internal Revenue Service: Criminal Investigation, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, and Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Small Business Administration.


title: Gloucester City Business Owner Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Payroll Tax Fraud and Pandemic Loan Fraud

component: USAO - New Jersey

body_text: CAMDEN, N.J. – The owner of a business in Gloucester City, New Jersey, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for failing to pay over payroll taxes to the IRS, failing to file personal income tax returns, and fraudulently obtaining a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. John Degan, 69, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler to an information charging him with one count of failing to collect, account for, and pay over payroll taxes, one count of failure to file income tax returns with the IRS, and one count of bank fraud. Judge Kugler imposed the sentence today in Camden federal court. According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: Degan was the owner and operator of Companion Services Group Inc., a building maintenance and restoration service company in Gloucester City. Companion provided architectural maintenance and restoration services, which includes restroom maintenance, glass restoration, and graffiti removal. Degan admitted that for tax years 2016 through 2020, he willfully failed to file payroll tax returns and failed to pay over $600,629 in withheld employment taxes on behalf of his employees. Degan attempted to conceal from the IRS over $4.4 million in wages that he paid to himself and his employees by not filing and submitting Forms W-2 or Form W-3 to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Degan admitted that he received a yearly salary that ranged from $140,000 to $170,000 from Companion, willfully failed to file his federal income tax returns for tax years 2016 through 2020, and has not filed a tax return since 2003. He also failed to file the corporate tax returns for Companion, a business that generated more than $1.4 million in gross receipts yearly. Degan also submitted a fraudulent application to a lender to obtain a PPP loan. In April 2020, Degan submitted a PPP application for Companion in which he falsely represented to the lender that Companion had employees and payroll expenses. In further support of his application, Degan submitted various IRS Forms to establish that he was paying compensation to his employees. Those forms were never actually submitted to the IRS; instead, they were false forms that were only created and used for the purpose of securing the loan. Based on Degan’s misrepresentations, the lender approved the PPP loan and disbursed $193,407 in federal COVID-19 emergency relief funds. In addition to the prison term, Judge Kugler sentenced Degan to three years of supervised release. Restitution will be determined at a later date. U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the IRS – Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Tammy Tomlins in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. The government is represented by Jason M. Richardson, Attorney in Charge of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden.


title: Montana Man Sentenced for Trafficking Golden Eagle Feathers

component: USAO - South Dakota

body_text: RAPID CITY - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Viken has sentenced a Hardin, Montana, man convicted of three counts of violating the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The sentencing took place on June 26, 2023. Harvey Hugs, age 59, was sentenced to three years in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, and a special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund in the amount of $300. Hugs was also ordered to pay $70,000 in restitution for the 14 juvenile eagles that he killed. Hugs was indicted by a federal grand jury in May of 2022. He was found guilty following a jury trial on February 14, 2023. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act makes it a crime for anyone to take, sell, purchase, and barter, bald and golden eagles and any parts and feathers of eagles. In February of 2020, Montana authorities received information that Hugs, who had been convicted of trafficking in eagles in 2012, was again involved in trafficking golden eagle feathers. Between August 20, 2020, and November 3, 2020, law enforcement utilized recorded phone calls and text messages in which Hugs offered to sell various eagle feathers. On two separate occasions, Hugs knowingly sold golden eagle tails for several hundred dollars each. On a third occasion, Hugs sold a set of golden eagle wings and a gold eagle tail for $1,000. For each sale Hugs mailed the golden eagle feathers to South Dakota and requested that the payment be wired to him, under his daughter’s name, in Montana. A search warrant was executed at Hugs’ Montana home on March 3, 2021, where multiple items, including several eagle tails and wings, were seized. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Forensics Lab in Ashland, Oregon was able to determine that items seized from Hugs’ home genetically matched items Hugs sold and shipped to South Dakota during this case. In total, 14 juvenile eagles were genetically identified from the items seized. This case was investigated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Montana Game and Fish Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan N. Dilges prosecuted the case. Hugs was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.


title: Lenoir, N.C. Felon Is Sentenced To 15 Years For Illegal Firearm Possession And Drug Charges

component: USAO - North Carolina, Western

body_text: CHARLOTTE, N.C. – U.S. Attorney Dena J. King announced today that Jeremy David Greene, 47, of Lenoir, N.C., was ordered to serve 15 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release for possession of a firearm by a felon and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Bennie Mims, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Charlotte Field Division, and Sheriff Alan C. Jones, of the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, join U.S. Attorney King in making today’s announcement. According to information in court documents and today’s sentencing hearing, , in April 2022, law enforcement received information that Greene was selling large amounts of methamphetamine in Caldwell County. Greene also had outstanding arrest warrants for state law violations. On April 14, 2023, law enforcement located Greene driving his vehicle in Lenoir. Court records show that law enforcement officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop of Greene’s vehicle, but Greene ignored law enforcement and sped away. Law enforcement deployed stop sticks, successfully stopping Greene’s vehicle, and Greene was arrested shortly thereafter. According to court records, law enforcement searched Greene’s vehicle and seized more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, a 9mm pistol, 36 rounds of ammunition, and over $11,900 in cash. Greene has prior felony convictions, including Assault with a Deadly Weapon on Law Enforcement, and he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition. Greene is currently in federal custody. He will be transferred to the custody of the federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility. In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney King commended the ATF and the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office for their investigation of the case and thanked the Caldwell County District Attorney’s Office for their invaluable assistance and coordination. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (SAUSA) William Wiseman of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case. Mr. Wiseman is a state prosecutor with the office of the 26 th Prosecutorial District and was assigned by District Attorney Spencer Merriweather to serve as a SAUSA with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte. Mr. Wiseman is sworn in both state and federal courts. The SAUSA position is a reflection of the partnership between the office of the 26 th Prosecutorial District and the United States Attorney’s Office.


title: Adam Snider to Serve as Public Affairs Specialist for Western District of Oklahoma

component: USAO - Oklahoma, Western

body_text: OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, United States Attorney Robert J. Troester announced the selection of Adam Snider to serve as the Public Affairs Specialist for the Western District of Oklahoma. “Adam Snider is a seasoned communications professional with a demonstrated ability and passion to accurately keep the public informed,” said U.S. Attorney Troester. “We gladly welcome Snider to our team and know he will enhance our efforts to share the vital role our office plays in keeping Oklahomans safe.” Snider is the first person to be selected for this newly created position. As the Public Affairs Specialist, he will work with local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement to help inform the public on cases and matters of interest in the district. Snider will also engage with media outlets at all levels and spearhead community engagement initiatives and events. Before Snider joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he spent more than a decade as a television reporter and anchor in Tennessee, Texas, and Oklahoma. He also served as a Public Information Manager with the State of Oklahoma. Members of the media can reach Snider through his email, adam.snider@usdoj.gov , or through the U.S. Attorney’s Office media phone line, (405) 553-8999. **END** (Do not reply – this is an unattended email)


title: California resident sentenced to 3+ years in prison for smuggling scheme using ride share companies to transport Indian Nationals crossing the northern border illegally

component: USAO - Washington, Western

body_text: Seattle – A 49-year-old resident of Elk Grove, California, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 45 months in prison for Conspiracy to Transport and Harbor Certain Aliens for Profit and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Rajinder Pal Singh, aka Jaspal Gill, pleaded guilty in February 2023, admitting that he took in more than $500,000 as a key member of a smuggling ring bringing hundreds of Indian Nationals across the border from Canada and then to locations in the mid-west and beyond. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour accepted the joint sentencing recommendation. “Over a four-year period, Mr. Singh arranged for more than 800 people to be smuggled into the U.S. across the northern border and into Washington State,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. “This conduct was not just a security risk for our country, it also subjected those smuggled to security and safety risks during the often weeks-long smuggling route from India to the United States. Mr. Singh’s participation in this conspiracy preyed upon the Indian Nationals’ hopes for a better life in the United States, while saddling those smuggled with crushing debt of as much as $70,000.” “Mr. Singh spent years illegally smuggling hundreds of Indian nationals into this country; all to make a quick profit,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in the Pacific Northwest. “Fortunately, through a committed HSI investigative team, complemented by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, that scheme has come to an end. Mr. Singh crushed the dreams of so many who quickly found themselves drowning in debt to their smuggler and unable to realize the life they sought in this country. Mr. Singh won’t need to order up any more Uber rides for the next three years.” According to records filed in the case, as early as July 2018, Singh and his coconspirators used the ride share app Uber to transport people who had illegally crossed the border from Canada to the Seattle area. Those records detail how trips beginning near the border in the early hours of the morning, would be split between different rides. For example, one Uber trip would be from the border to Sea-Tac airport, and then minutes later the second Uber trip would be from a nearby airport hotel to an address in Lacey, Washington, owned by Singh’s spouse. All told, from mid-2018 to May 2022, Singh arranged more than 600 trips involving the transportation of Indian Nationals who had been illegally smuggled into the U.S. Once the non-citizens had been smuggled into the U.S., Singh coordinated with other coconspirators who, using one-way vehicle rentals, would transport these individuals to their ultimate destinations outside Washington State. Singh and his coconspirators used sophisticated means to launder the organization’s illicit proceeds. For example, on one instance, Singh and his coconspirators arranged for smuggling fees to be sent via Hawala from India to New York. Once the smuggling fee was received in cash from the New York Hawala, these funds were converted into a check, mailed to a coconspirator in Kentucky, and then were washed through multiple financial accounts. In the plea agreement, Singh admitted that the purpose of this money movement was to obscure the illicit nature of these funds, i.e., money laundering. The smuggling scheme has been underway since at least 2018. It slowed during the pandemic when Canada was not admitting non-citizens. However as pandemic restrictions were lifted, the smuggling scheme became active again. In all, the investigation estimates that between July 2018, and April 2022, the 17 Uber accounts tied to this smuggling ring ran up more than $80,000 in charges. In addition to the search of the home in Lacey, law enforcement searched two of Singh’s residences in California. During the search of one of his homes in Elk Grove, California, investigators found about $45,000 in cash as well as counterfeit identity documents. They also found copies of falsified documents that had been submitted to immigration judges in Washington during bond hearings for non-citizens who had been smuggled into the United States by Singh and his coconspirators, but who had been arrested by immigration authorities after illegally crossing the border. Singh has agreed to forfeit cash and other personal property seized during the search of his residences, as well as a money judgement of $500,000 which represents proceeds he obtained from his criminal scheme. Both sides agreed to recommend that Singh serve 45 months in prison. Singh is not legally present in the United States and will likely be deported following his prison term. The investigation was led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Uber assisted with the investigation shortly before the arrest in this case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joe Silvio.